Firefighters for North Battleford Fire Department got a crash course in how to save people from the freezing water last Feb. 15.
They did rescue training in the pond at the David Laird Campground. According to a news release from the city, a total of 15 firefighters dressed in bright yellow suits practiced the various methods of how to rescue people when they have broken through the ice.
Following a day and a half of training plus an exam, the firefighters put their training to the test out at the pond.
First, they attempted escaping the water without any help or tools. Later on, the force trained on how to rescue those in distress in the water.
The firefighters applied three different methods during their training: one was to use a sling hooked up with ropes to be thrown over the victim, the second was to use a device similar to a sled or stretcher to secure and pull a victim to shore, and the final one was a floatable device used to pull the person on board and bring them to shore.
This type of training is something the fire department does on a regular basis, said Deputy Fire Chief Operations and Training Lindsay Holm in a news release. The intention is to be able to respond quickly to water rescue situations, as hypothermia sets in within minutes for those who end up in the water.
“With the many new faces at the Fire Department, we felt it is important to have a consultant who is specialized in the field of emergency response come in and provide some in depth training on ice water rescue,” said Holm.
“Throughout the year we will continue our training which includes river rescue on the North Saskatchewan River in the spring, vehicle extrication, high angle rescue and confined space rescue.”
