‘Make sure our skills are fresh’: Fredericton Fire conducts ice water rescue training

Fredericton firefighters practiced ice rescues at Killarney Lake.

As New Brunswickers make plans to spend time on the province’s many frozen rivers and lakes in the weeks ahead, Fredericton firefighters are ensuring they are prepared if any accidents occur.

Over the past two weeks, crews have been making their way to Fredericton’s Killarney Lake for ice water rescue training.

Assistant Deputy Chief of Operations with the Fredericton Fire Department Craig Harnum says new to the department this year is a rapid deployment program. It means all fire engines in the city will be equipped with ice rescue equipment.

“This training is important,” says Harnum. “A lot of people don’t realize just how the hazardous the river, water and ice conditions are right now with temperatures. It’s a pretty common call for us to respond to either the river or the lakes for ice rescue.”

Harnum admits it’s incredible to see how far equipment has come when it comes to ice water rescues over his 38 years, recalling when he joined the force all they had was a rope and a life jacket.

The training performed at Killarney over the past two weeks was rather straightforward. A firefighter (draped in protective clothing for the cold water) walks out onto the ice until they fall in. The suits firefighters wear while in the water can keep them warm for up to 13 hours.

Crews then practice multiple methods to safely retrieve a person from the water. Firefighters are also tasked with self-retrieval missions, where they must get themselves out of the frozen lake.

Not only is the training important so crews are ready when an emergency happens but it also helps build comradery among crews.

“As firefighters for us, this is the kind of stuff that we love,” says training officer Alex Hillier. “We’re usually not the type of people to sit down and go through books and that kind of stuff. We do it, however this is what’s enjoyable.”

“It’s a great opportunity for senior members that have done this for years to kind of mentor those new members that we have,” says active training officer with Fredericton Fire Adrian Bent. “It just builds that bond, like that family aspect that we kind of thrive on in the fire service.”

This type of training takes place throughout the year, so crews are prepared when they are called into action.

The training has been occurring at Killarney Lake, which is a popular place for Fredericton residents to go for a walk.

Allowing the public to watch firefighters hone their skills first-hand is a benefit to the entire community, according to Hillier.

“I think that’s important for people to see us out doing this, because a lot of the times when people do see us, it’s when something really bad has happened,” Hillier says. “This is a chance for us to interact with people and just show them this is what we do and this is why we do it.”

Temperatures around the region have fluctuated in the past few days, meaning frozen waterways may not be as safe as they look.

Harnum says people should be extra cautious and take their time if they decide to venture out on the water. If you see someone in distress fallen through the ice, he says to immediately call 9-1-1, and practice a “reach, throw, and go” approach.

“Go is the last thing, which means you’re going to that victim,” he says. “So if you can throw a stick, reach out with a stick, throw some piece of rope or something you might have. Big thing is to call 9-1-1 and we’ll be there in minutes.”

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