Lethbridge Fire and EMS training for ice rescues ahead of spring melt

Warmer weather means ice on lakes and ponds is starting to melt, and Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services is preparing to help those who fall through.

Warmer weather means the ice on lakes and ponds is starting to melt, so Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) is preparing to help those who fall through.

To get ahead of any potential calls, emergency crews are training for ice rescues.

“The idea of doing it at this time of year is really in anticipation of this being the time of the year when we’re the most likely to go out and do a rescue off the ice,” said Charles Schoening, LFES water rescue team lead.

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The course is offered every year to any first responder interested. They’ll spend a whole day in the classroom before hitting the ice to try a rescue.

“We’re just trying to keep up training (for) every member as much as possible. So, everyone’s up to date. I just picked this one because I like to swim. I figured this would be something fun to do,” said Andrew Moxon, a paramedic who is taking the course for the first time.

Each year, LFES responds to around three to five ice rescue calls.

Many of those calls aren’t for people but for their pets who have gotten free and gone out on the ice.

“The best thing is to keep your dog off the ice so that it doesn’t turn into a rescue. If it does, if your dog goes out there, it gets in trouble, and you can’t get them to come back off, please call 911. Do not go out there and attempt to rescue them on your own,” said Schoening.

While first responders are ready, they hope they won’t have to respond to any ice rescues.

Emergency services say that no ice is safe to walk on, especially this time of year. Ice on the Oldman River can be particularly dangerous.

“River ice is never safe to be on. It may appear to be solid ice out there, but currents can change the ice conditions very quickly, and the water levels and the currents can both change day to day,” said Schoening.