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Every year, the
Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company holds drills to refresh their
cold water and ice rescue training. Members first attend a
classroom lecture and subsequent dress-rehearsal held in the
safe environment of an indoor pool. A simulated emergency is
then held in an appropriate environment when conditions are
permissible. This year's drill was held on February 12, 2005 on
Town Forest Road in Simsbury.
Rescue 14 responds to the simulated ice rescue with one victim reported in the water. Personnel immediately begin to retrieve equipment to go to work. Soon-to-be promoted Lt. Patrick Tourville is assigned as the incident commander. Recently back from Innsbruck, he models the latest European fashions. Firefighter Brendan Letson attempts to throw a rope bag to the victim. PFD's are mandatory when working near the water. In order to retrieve the victim, Firefighters Ron Ryan (near) and Mike Brown (right) will need to don survival suits. Firefighter Mike Brown advances across the ice to retrieve victim Firefighter Adam Libros. Firefighters Todd Kelley (far) and Brendan Letson tend the shorelines and keep a watchful eye to the situation on the ice. Rescuers help the victim up onto the ice. The rescuer and the shore team work in tandem to retrieve the victim. Firefighter Adam Libros transfers the floatation device to the victim during the second evolution. With the victim on the ice, the rescuer signals to the shore team. The rescuer and victim work their way back to shore. Shore teams pull the victim back to safety. Firefighter Todd Kelley takes the ice sled for a spin. Placing the sled into the water. Maneuvering the sled with a paddle. Making the transition from the water back onto the ice with the sled.
Rescue 14 responds to the simulated ice rescue with one victim reported in the water. Personnel immediately begin to retrieve equipment to go to work.
Photographs by
Cliff Williams |
