FORT ASSINIBOINE – The Fort Assiniboine Fire Department braved icy waters on March 3 during an intensive ice water rescue training session at the Woodlands RV Park and Marina.
The training began with firefighters cutting a hole in the ice and practicing self-rescue techniques. “We cut a hole in the ice at the Marina and started the training with self-rescue,” said Deputy Fire Chief Dustin Williams, who has served with the department for 18 years.
Wearing full ice water rescue suits, firefighters entered the frigid water to simulate real-life emergency scenarios. Using a Rapid Deployment Craft (RDC), they practiced rescuing individuals who may have fallen through the ice. The RDC offers additional safety for firefighters, helping prevent accidental falls through unstable ice during rescue operations.
Crews worked through several techniques for pulling victims from the water, including rope-based methods and body retrievals. Rope skills were a key focus of the session, with firefighters practicing knots, pulley systems, and carabiner use. These skills are essential for ice rescues, particularly in situations where rescuers must remain safely distanced from the ice edge.
Williams emphasized the importance of non-verbal communication in these scenarios. “In water rescues, they can be far from shore and may not be able to use verbal communications with team members,” he said. Firefighters used hand signals to direct colleagues operating the rope systems from the shore, ensuring the safety of both rescuers and victims.
“Hand signals can quickly advise the person on shore to stop pulling and create slack on the rope,” Williams explained, noting that careful observation is critical to prevent entanglement or injury during the extraction process.
The training also included practicing post-rescue medical care. Once a person is pulled from the water, they must be dried off and checked for hypothermia. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are called to the scene to provide further care, including warming the individual and performing first responder checks. “It can be simple things like turning up the heat inside the medic vehicle and getting blankets ready,” Williams added.
Firefighters also benefit from training in low-light conditions, mimicking real-world rescue scenarios that may occur in the dark. The department trains every Monday, rotating between theoretical and physical activities to build readiness and maintain fitness. “It is all about learning and keeping active, ready for the next time someone needs help,” said Williams.
The Fort Assiniboine Fire Department currently has 20 dedicated members. Williams expressed appreciation for the support provided by Alan O’Brien, owner of the Woodlands RV Park and Marina, for making the training location available.
