With several weeks of at or below freezing temperatures, our members took advantage of this and conducted a two-part Ice Rescue Training program last week.

On Monday, February 16th, 40 of our members attended a classroom lecture on the different types of ice, first-arriving officer tactical considerations, initial company operations, ice rescue methodologies and a review of the equipment carried by the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department.

Following this lesson, 20 members participated in the hands-on training session this past Saturday, February 21st. Members first worked for nearly an hour to cut through the nearly 18" thick ice to create a hole for this training at Kaplan's Pond on Lounsbury Road. While this was ongoing, members reviewed the "Talk," "Reach" and "Throw" methods of Ice Rescue - which consisted of establishing communications with victims, using available equipment - such as pike poles and ladders - to try and reach them as well as throwing "Throw Lines" of rope to our victims.

Rounding out the skills review portion of the training, members donned the Ice/Cold Water Rescue Suits and took turns utilizing our Rapid Deployment Craft (Marine 52) to "Row" our way to the victim, and performed the "Go" technique of rescuers making their way on to the ice and to the victim and bringing them back into shore with help of shore-based members.

We wrapped up the day's training by running a scenario-based drill where we had two victims in the water requiring rescuing. This was a "soup to nuts" type drill, with units arriving on scene, establishing command, assigning tasks, making patient contact, designating "Spotters," developing initial and backup plans to affect the rescues and using "all hands" to get the operation done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

With a district that is nearly surrounded by water - which includes the Hudson and Croton Rivers, the Croton Reservoir and a number of ponds, lakes and streams - this type of training is critical for our personnel.