Most days of the week, giant boxes loaded with life-saving equipment - ropes, harnesses, headlamps and carabiners - depart from Sisters, en route to rescue organizations worldwide.

Now Lance and Monica Piatt, owners of Rescue Response Gear, are expanding their scope of operations in Sisters to include a state-of-the-art training facility and filming studio. The couple recently moved their growing company to larger digs in the former Weitech Building, across from the post office on Larch Street.

A soaring climbing wall and extensive rigging for the production of technical training videos is the central feature of their new headquarters.

Lance feels fortunate to have found a location locally that met his need for a 25-foot ceiling height.

"I thought we'd have to move out of Sisters," he says.

He credits Mac Hay, the city's economic development manager, building owner Stuart Weitzman, and developer Steve McGhehey with encouraging a creative solution. Lance first discussed the idea of leasing the warehouse portion only for his two new ventures: the Rigging Lab, a gear training school; and Raven Collective Media, a film production company. That would have split his operations into two facilities.

"I've been looking at and praying about this building for a couple years. Steve and Stu were very flexible with our needs and allowed us to move our entire operation," said Lance.

The lower east wing of the large building is now home to Rescue Response Gear's administrative, sales, and shipping functions as well as the Rigging Lab and Raven Collective Media.

Sixteen years ago, Lance and Monika took over a small, web-based business that provided rescue equipment to fire departments, search and rescue organizations, and various government agencies. Now that their company has grown to an 11-person team, Lance believes that the key to future growth is providing top-notch gear education.

Lance says that he has hired expert staff, and students from near and far have already begun signing up for Rigging Lab courses in technical rescue training and rope access equipment.

Efforts were made to bring the outdoors inside and to create a facility that functions year-round, despite inclement weather. Classes make use of a full-scale climbing wall as well as the building's structural ceiling joists. Phil Rerat, of Swiss Mountain Log Homes, installed massive 27-foot pine timbers that run from floor to ceiling. "The log accents bring in the aesthetics of our backyard," says Lance. "Clients have the feeling of being outside. And they just look cool."

A bonus draw for students, he says, is that participants "don't have to go anywhere else to play outside. If they're looking for a destination as part of the package, we've got an amazing and awesome place here.

"There's cultural viability between what Sisters Country has and what we do. It all revolves around the outdoors and making people safe."

Piatt plans to coordinate with local lodging facilities and recreational outfitters, such as whitewater excursions, for his clients.

Meanwhile, his new filming studio, Raven Collective Media, is working in tandem with the Rigging Lab to produce training demonstration films. Lance had black-drop walls installed and invested heavily in technical lighting equipment. Rick Johnson, of Strata Unlimited and Fluid Images, was an indispensible resource. According to Piatt, it wouldn't have been possible without "his equipment, his understanding of lighting and knowledge of rigging needs."

One medium for their video education, says Piatt, will be broadcasting over what he is calling RRGTV. "RRGTV allows people all over the world to see what we do."

In addition to supplying lifesaving gear internationally, two of the most satisfying aspects of his company's growth, says Lance, are the ability to provide local jobs, and opportunities to work alongside the Sisters High School Interdisciplinary Environmental Expedition program (IEE).

Visit http://www.rescueresponse.com for more information.