Three Fire Districts train in ice rescue
Volunteer firefighters from Lake George, Hartsel, and Florissant took the plunge Feb. 17 in Wagon Tongue Lake for ice rescue training.
The outside temperature was about 28 degrees, there was several feet of snow surrounding the lake, and one firefighter who had been in the water shiveringly commented it was frigid. Nevertheless, these brave men and women took turns being the rescued or the rescuer.
They covered one-on-one rescue where the victim was in the water and the rescuer went to them, entered the water, and pushed them up on the ice where others pulled them out and across the ice.
They also learned to use Oceanie, a rapid deployment craft resembling a large inflatable canoe with openings on each end. The openings enable the rescuers to navigate the craft to the water with their feet until they reach the water and then paddle until they are able to get the victim onto the craft.
Both methods require a team of rope pullers.
Ice rescue training is crucial considering the number of ice fishermen at Eleven Mile Reservoir and elsewhere. It’s imperative to get to the victim as quickly as possible without endangering the life and wellbeing of the rescuer. Rescuers learned how to put on the insulated suits, how to get into the water correctly and approach the victim to get them out. Once onto the ice, rope pullers engage and pull both the victim and rescuer out. Acting quickly can save the victim from hypothermia.
Approximately thirty members of the three fire districts participated in the training led by Hartsel Fire Department’s Chief, Brian Cook.
A rescuer gives the signal for pullers to bring them to safety during Three-Mile Fire Districts ice rescue training.
A rescuer pushes a victim towards solid ice during Three-Mile Fire Districts ice rescue training.