Portage Fire Department Ice Rescue

• All members go through an 8 hour Technician certifcation
• All members go through a 3 hour refresher each year

Methods we use:

• Self rescue - can you talk the person to save themselves?
• Reach - can you give the person something and pull them out?
• Throw - can you throw the victim a rope and pull them out?
• Go - all else fails, rescue member goes on the ice and into the hole with the victim and pulls to shore

 

Firefighter Rick Nason

Ice Rescue Technician Instructor

2008 Follow Up:

SAFETY-Everyone must be wearing a PFD or suit when on or near the ice.  Also anyone that is actively in a support role to the rescuers.

 

STEPS-Enroute, start thinking about environmental conditions (ice, weather, temperature, wind speed and direction)

          

 Manpower-You should have more than you need.  Texas Township is the department that has a lot of equipment and is trained to the same level as us.  Also do not forget to dispatch an ambulance for each victim and one for us.

 

 Location of victims  (how to get to them easiest and fastest)

 

Last seen points You should set up land markers of the last seen point or location of the victim.  It should be from three distant locations.

 

Evaluation of Victims Conditions   Keep talking to victim.  Can they help themselves or can they assist you in the rescue.  This will help decide which mode to perform.

 

Treating patients   (Hypothermia)

Handle gently

Remove wet clothes

Dry victims

Remove from elements

Wrap in insulating material

Never-rub skin to warm-

Never apply ice-

Never apply external heat sources-

Never allow to smoke or drink alcohol

 

Remember drowning patients are never dead until they are warm and dead

 

METHODS

Self rescue

Reach

Throw-make sure if you throw a rope to the victim it is over their head and have them wrap a rope around an arm three times before pulling.

Go-  keep verbal contact with patient and approach from behind.