Safety Meets Scenery: Why Technical Rescue Teams Are Training on the Grafton Sky Tour

A Morning of High-Angle Action

From time to time, the Grafton Sky Tour hosts more than just our amazing guests enjoying the best view in the Midwest! We are incredibly proud to welcome and host critical joint training missions involving teams like the QEM Fire Protection District and the elite Madison County Technical Rescue Team. When these crews are on-site, the Sky Tour serves a vital purpose: a challenging high-angle training ground for the brave men and women who specialize in saving lives in complex environments.

Why Train at Aerie's? The Partnership for Guest Safety

Our mission at Aerie's Resort is to provide unforgettable adventures, and that always starts with safety. Hosting this specialized training is a proactive way for us to ensure that the very best rescue personnel are trained and intimately familiar with our unique infrastructure.

This hands-on practice ensures that if there is ever a high-angle incident on the Sky Tour, these experts are already trained, experienced, and ready to execute a safe and efficient rescue. It’s just one more way Aerie’s works closely with local and regional emergency services to guarantee a safe and awesome experience for every single one of our guests.

Meet the Experts: The Madison County Technical Rescue Team

Training missions are often led by experts like Todd Zobrist, the Training Chief of the Madison County Technical Rescue Team.

When we talk about "technical rescue," we're referring to the most demanding jobs out there—the ones that go beyond what a typical fire department might handle. This specialized team has expertise in:

• Rope Rescues: Like the simulated scenario practiced on our Sky Tour.

• Confined Space Rescues

• Trench Rescues

• Structural Collapses

They are truly the highly-skilled individuals who show up when the stakes are highest. Because their skills are so specialized, they serve not just Madison County, but also St. Clair, Macoupin, Jersey, and all surrounding counties, traveling wherever their expertise is needed. They are the

definition of regional heroes! We're happy to partner with these dedicated teams for their essential practice. If you are ever on site and happen to see them training, we encourage you to give them a wave and a thank-you for their dedication! 👋

Safety Meets Scenery

We’re thrilled to highlight this crucial partnership. Here at Aerie’s Resort, the best view is the one that reminds us we’re surrounded by a community of dedicated professionals ready to keep us all safe. Thank you to the QEM Fire Protection District and the Madison County Technical Rescue Team for your commitment!