Area fire departments spent the weekend requalifying for ice water rescue and have a message for anyone thinking of going onto the ice.
Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services, Brighton Fire Department, Alnwick/Haldimand Fire Department and Cobourg Fire Department were all training this weekend.
In some areas it was hard to find the ice, while in others the problem wasn’t finding ice, but finding deep enough water with Lake Ontario being shallow in some areas.
Acting District Chief and training officer for Alnwick/Haldimand Township Fire Department, Mike Jarvis said, “with the unstable temperatures and this time of year when it’s getting warmer, the ice conditions are extremely unstable. Stay safe and stay off the ice.”
The advice comes on the heels of what could have been a tragedy on Little Bald Lake in the Municipality of Trent Lakes.
Shortly after midnight on March 14, 2021, OPP were dispatched to assist with the rescue of three occupants of a side-by-side that had went through the ice.
The victims were travelling on Little Bald Lake and went through the ice near Peninsula Court.
One of the victims made it out of the water and called 9-1-1.
The victim could barely talk because of his hypothermic condition and OPP had to use cell phone tracking to precisely locate the victims who all made it out of the water, but were stranded on the ice.
Responding OPP officers asked communications to notify the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and alert members of 424 Search and Rescue at CFB Trenton, but the Communications Sergeant put the request on hold until officers were directed to the scene by dispatch and arrived approximately 15-minutes later.
Officers utilized a small vessel that was located near the scene and were able to reach the victims. The victims were removed from the water with the assistance of the Trent Lakes Fire Department and transported to a local hospital by
Peterborough County Paramedics for treatment of severe hypothermia.
At some point during the incident 424 Search and Rescue was contacted and indicated they would be approximately two hours.
Fire departments train every year and try using different scenarios for rescue.
Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services Station and Brighton Fire Department trained together over the weekend on Lake Ontario just off Brighton.
“Training together helps us share ideas and see how other departments use the water rescue equipment,” said Station
Captain Brian Bernard of the Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services.
“This was excellent training that allowed two departments to share ideas, techniques and practice skills to provide a higher level of service to both their communities.”
In past weeks, fire departments have trained on waterways including the Ganaraska River.
The training has nearly wrapped up, but members of the public may see departments on the water during weekends and are welcome to watch from a safe distance and to strictly stay away from open water or ice.
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
