Cobourg Fire Department – Ice Water Training
Members of the Cobourg Fire Department were practicing ice water training in the Cobourg Harbour on Friday, December 7, 2018. Captain Kevin Schroeder said the training session was to familiarize new members of the service with procedures for ice water training including burping the ice water immersion suits. (In essence means removing the air from the suits when the firefighters are in the water and becoming familiar with the equipment. Once all firefighters have completed this training they will move onto training at the local YMCA before performing scenarios in February. The rope bags contain 100 metres of rope which each firefighter must swim out the length and simulate and ice rescue hook up before swimming back in. “Safety is always a priority even when training,” said Schroeder. “It’s similar to structure fires, there is two in (the water) and two out.” “Two firefighters in suits are going out and we have two on shore in case someone gets into trouble.” “People entering the water are always hooked up to the ropes for safety while others near the water always have life jackets on – safety for sure.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love