LEARNING THE ROPES; RAPPELLING EXERCISE AIDS SWAT, RESCUE TEAMS.

Byline: John Huddy Daily News Staff Writer

It's been 19 years since Kevin Clancy last rappelled. But along with 29 other Ventura County SWAT team members, he harnessed up and hit the cliffs at Corriganville Park in Simi Valley.

``I'm a little nervous,'' said Clancy, an Ojai resident and four-year SWAT team member. ``But once I get up there, I'll be fine.''

Tuesday afternoon's exercise was a collaborative effort by the SWAT team and the Ventura County Search and Rescue Team to work on their rappelling skills.

``This is our first time training at Corriganville,'' said sheriff's Capt. Steve Giles. ``We've trained at the Camarillo Airport, but we were looking for a place that wouldn't stop traffic or cause a commotion.''

Giles said the rappelling skills of SWAT team members vary because of an infrequent training schedule.

``There's not that many high buildings to be involved with in Ventura County, as compared with other big cities,'' he said. ``So we don't rappel that much.''

The cliffs at Corriganville Park are an ideal setting for working on rappelling skills, said Kurt Park, a member of the Search and Rescue Team.

``The Sheriff's Department asked us to take the SWAT team out and train them at a good place, off the beaten path,'' Park said. ``This is the best rock to rappel off in Ventura County.''

Decked out in combat fatigues, with helmets, backpacks and rifles, the SWAT team members had a choice of cliff-side spots to rappel down. There was the 150-foot advanced level, the 75-foot intermediate level and the 50-foot beginner level.

Starting with a short lesson from Park on the proper rappelling techniques, SWAT team members hiked up the cliffs. After further instructions at the top, team members got the opportunity to test the laws of physics, cautiously inching their way backward down the vertical face of the cliff.

``I've been rappelling for about eight years now,'' said SWAT member Scott Sheldon.

Sheldon also is a member of the Sheriff's Department's Aviation Unit Medical Team, which assists the SWAT team in exercises and procedure.

``We have three medical team members on the SWAT team,'' he said. ``For us, rappelling is required - sometimes we have a rescue in the mountains, only accessible by helicopter. Then we have to rappel out of the helicopter. Rappelling is a crucial part of our training.''

SWAT members practice their emergency procedures about twice a month. Other exercises include hostage rescue, vehicle assault and team movements.

Ventura County Search and Rescue Team members practice their rappelling techniques about twice a month, in areas prone to hiking accidents around the county.

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) A SWAT team member rappels down a cliff at Corriganville Park in Simi Valley.

(2--Color) Jerardo Gomez comes down the cliff face as instructor Bryan Bowen supervises.

(3) Kurt Park, right, of the Ventura County Search and Rescue Team works with county SWAT team members on the proper use of ropes.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News