On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Matt Murphy was presented with the Secretary’s Honor Award for Heroism at a ceremony in Washington DC where a handful of USDA employees received national honors for their work in the Department of Agriculture. As we at the Glacier Ranger District eagerly waited to watch Matt receive his award, his achievements were laced through the Secretary’s introductory remarks, along with the important work of meat inspectors and farm-loan program directors also being recognized. We all agreed they had saved the best for last, when Matt walked across the stage and shook hands with the Secretary and applause broke out for him and the rest of the award recipients. It was a proud moment for all us here at the Glacier Ranger District. Matt received this award for being the key person in the rescue of Ian Wilson on Feb. 23, 2008. Kris Dudley, one of Matt’s ski partners, alerted the group to what sounded like a massive avalanche; the group watched as a cloud of thick powder burst down the mountainside. As Matt’s party scrambled toward the scene, he could see from where the snow had broken off it was a massive slide. Snow had rumbled down the mountain, filled the valley and sped up the other side, triggering smaller avalanches. From a distance, Matt could see other skiers frantically beginning a search.
Matt’s Forest Service and Alyeska Pro Patrol training took over. Matt’s party took what seemed a long time to reach the avalanche site through the heavy snow, but they were ready to work. Matt first assessed the safety at the scene, then directed his party towards the victim’s last known location. Then he received a signal on his avalanche beacon. The party began probing the deep snow. After several tries they got a hit. Matt knew it was a person. Matt, his ski partners, the victim’s friends, and other skiers tore into the snow. When the victim was pulled from the snow, his face was blue from lack of oxygen. Murphy, also a trained Emergency Medical Technician, feared the recovery was too late. Ian was unconscious. As Matt cleared the snow and established an airway, the victim sputtered. Later that evening, he was released from a hospital in Anchorage, with only minor injuries.
What distinguishes Matt is not just his quick action and technical expertise in conducting the rescue, but rather his leadership and situational awareness, during a moment of crisis. As Matt arrived on scene, the victim’s party were searching, but were confused, disorganized and losing valuable minutes in their rescue attempt. Other members of the public began to arrive, wondering what had happened and how they could help. Matt quickly redirected the efforts of the group. He defined the last point the victim was seen, directed the beacon search, and organized others in the party with probes and shovels. Within minutes, he had directed a crew of more than twenty, people who had never met, in a miraculous rescue.
It was reported in an American Avalanche Association accident report that if it were not for Matt’s quick action, Ian would not be alive today. After 15 minutes of being buried, most avalanche victims have only a 50 percent chance of living. Ian Wilson had been buried four feet deep an estimated 25 to 35 minutes.
The heroic efforts that Matt displayed that day, are not only appreciated by Mr. Wilson, but also Matt’s co-workers and the recreating public, and have now been recognized by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. Matt also received the Alaska Region Forest Service employee of the year award for 2008.