Disclaimer: The actions described and depicted in this post are for informational purposes only and performed by trained professionals. Do not attempt. If you want to join us on the ice, please consider submitting a membership application request through our Contact form.
For many of us, the idea of venturing onto ice, let alone conducting a rescue on it, might seem daunting. Ice rescues are complex operations that require a high degree of technical skill and knowledge of the ice. Today our volunteers trained on how to move on ice, assess its thickness and strength, and safely remove victims from icy waters.
One tool that we use during ice rescue operations is our Ice Rescue Sled. This sled is designed specifically for use on frozen or partially frozen bodies of water. The sled consists of two flat pontoons that distribute the weight of the rescuer and victim across the large surface area of the pontoons. If the sled does break through the ice, the pontoons are also floatation devices that keep the entire sled above the surface of the water.
Along with the sled, the rescuers also have a wooden ore with a pick attached to one side that can be used to either paddle through water or pull the sled across ice similar to the method pictured below. Another tool that may be used are handheld ice picks as they can also pull the sled across the ice.
Once the rescuer arrives at the victim, the firefighter then lifts the victim onto the sled and secures them to the sled. This is often the most difficult and strenuous part of the rescue as it takes a large amount of strength to lift someone onto the sled. Our firefighters drilled the best strategies to perform these lifts as easily and efficiently as possible.
In much the same way that the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) recommends all families discuss more than one way out of their house in case of a fire, our volunteers also follow this mindset when it comes to training. As mentioned above, both the Oar and the handheld ice picks can be used to get the sled across the ice. We also have a backup strategy if we are unable to use the sled.
Above you can see Deputy Chief Krause demonstrate the appropriate method for using a harness to secure a victim stranded in ice, and he demonstrates preparing the harness to pull the victim to safety. This is an alternative method for rescuing a victim that does not require use of the sled.
I hope that you enjoyed hearing about this drill as much as we enjoyed doing it. If you have feedback about this article, or if you have what it takes to become a volunteer firefighter, please don’t hesitate to reach out using our contact form on this website!
