Since we finally have a winter with very cold temperatures, we finally had some decent ice to train on. Although ice rescues are infrequent, we drill for the rescue and recovery of people, animals and vehicles on the various ponds and lakes in our district, as well as on the Cross River Reservoir, which has many fishing on the ice each day.

Members suited up and headed out to a private pond on Baldwin Road to run through ice rescue evolutions. All of our water and ice rescue equipment was laid out, and members took turns suiting up in our Mustang ice rescue suits and heading out to the victim (who was also one of our own, and belligerent at times).

Different scenarios were conducted with one and two person rescues, use of our ice board and sling, and set up of rope haul systems. Members on the shore also reviewed rope and physical signals with the rescuers, and EMS treatment of the patient once removed from the ice.

A special thanks to the Paletta family for letting us train on their property.