The same week Falcon firefighters were practicing ice rescue techniques in the pool at the Woodmen Hills Recreation Center, KRDO reported that a woman in Colorado Springs fell through the ice in a neighborhood pond while trying to rescue her dog, which had fallen through the same ice.Falcon Fire Protection District Lt. David Smith said that in the past couple of years, Falcon firefighters havenít performed any ice rescues involving people, but they have assisted with rescuing a few dogs that had fallen through ice. However, having to rescue a person from an icy pond is a real possibility, and FFPD personnel are preparing for it.Smith called ice rescues ìhigh risk, low frequency,î meaning they donít happen very often, but are dangerous for both rescuers and victims when they do occur. ìWe have to be very proficient in our skills,î Smith said. ìThis includes proficiency in teamwork, hand signals, rigging, knots,†correct terminology, facilitation of the rescue itself; and what the incident will look like and how to manage it.îDecemberís arctic cold snap only partially froze ponds and other water holes in the Falcon area. To work on their ice rescue skills, FFPD firefighters and EMS personnel turned to the next best training venue: an indoor pool.They donned waterproof ice rescue suits and practiced throwing rescue ropes to victims, using flotation boards to assist in rescue and simply maneuvering in the water while wearing the buoyant suits. Experienced members used the opportunity to sharpen rusty skills while training newer members in ice rescue basics.Smith said the primary goals of the training at the pool were to build teamwork, develop comfort in the suits and in the water and work on practical skills. ìSince†ice†rescue is seasonal, it’s easy to put the†gear away and not look at it again until the season comes into play,î he said. ìWe needed to†make sure everybody†is ready.îThe district plans to conduct more ice rescue training in early 2014, this time in actual ice conditions at a pond in the Black Forest Reserve. In addition to passing a written exam, Smith said each rescuer will have to perform five different hands-on rescues on the ice.Smith thanked the Woodmen Hills†Recreation Center for their support of FFPDís ice rescue training. ìThey have allowed us to use their facility without hesitation and without charge,î he said. ìThey†never blinked an eye when we asked them†if we could facilitate our training there.î
