Feb. 7 was characterized by the weather service as “brutally cold,” but according to Susan Bernstetter, chief of Lake George Fire Protection District, the weather was perfect for her volunteers to participate in ice rescue training on the lake in Wagon Tongue.

Twenty-one volunteers from LGFPD participated with 10 being the rescuers who were in the suits and in the water and 11 were the haul team, who assisted in bringing the “victim” to safety. The haul team is just as important as the rescuers to bring everyone safely back to shore and then be ready to treat the victims.

Both single person direct rescue, single person, and two-person boat recues were practiced on the ice and the condition on the open water with an ice shelf that would break away made for perfect training conditions.

Two certified instructors from Hartsel Fire Protection District; Gabe Landers and Brandon “Hollywood” Dunlop, along with an unidentified young man who played the victim, led the firefighters through the training. The instructors took their time and worked with each participant individually to make sure they were both comfortable and confident in their abilities.

“This was the best ice rescue training we’ve had,” commented Bernstetter.