Ice rescue training
By: WROC-TV
Updated: February 11, 2008
Every winter rescue crews are called to save the life of someone who has fallen through a frozen pond or lake. Sunday the Rochester Fire Department took advantage of the chilly conditions to put it's special ice rescue team to the test at Durand Pond. The team made sure they were prepared for anything. Crew say being prepared can help save those in the freezing water.
"We're usually about a four minute response in the city...couple that with how long it takes somebody to go get help. Potentially somebody is in the water for up to 10 minutes, before we're even on scene. There are several minutes of pre-work we need. So conceivably somebody could be 10-15 minutes waiting for a rescue. So if we've done this before hand we can limit that time," says Lt. John Whitley of the Rochester Fire Department.
Members of the rescue team wear a special suit to help keep them dry. The longer they can stay dry, they can help fight off the cold.
