CFD firefighter Evan Biel rescues Cory Erickson with the use of an ice sled.

By Lori Larsen

Camrose Fire Department (CFD) reminds residents to play it safe when it comes to ice on ponds and waterbodies in and around the City. What may seem like a rock hard ice surface may in fact be just the opposite and a potentially deadly hazard.
CFD Chief Peter Krich shares vital information on ice safety.
First and foremost, the most important message Camrose Fire Department wants to give to all residents is, the reason a person/pet falls through the ice is because the ice is unsafe. That  means the ice is unsafe for anyone who may attempt to rescue the victim. “When you enter to go try and rescue, you will probably enter the same conditions the person you are trying to rescue did or fall in at another spot, which creates a more compounded rescue for us.”
Krich recognizes that it is human nature to help others in distress, but by going out on the unsafe ice, unfortunately the good-willed rescuer now becomes the one needing rescuing. “Now when we come up on the scene, we have multiple rescues.”
The best thing anyone can do when they see someone has fallen through the ice is to stay on shore, contact 911 for help and communicate with the victim to ensure them that help is on the way.
Krich said that preventing falling through ice by knowing that what may appear to be “safe” ice is the first line in safety, and warns that people should never assume because there is some ice formed it is safe to traverse out onto the ice.
“We are in that danger zone again, where the ice is not making or has the potential of melting,” he explained. “Dangers on the ice are at the extremes right now.”
He said that in order for hard “safe” ice to form, there must be consistent  cold temperatures.
“The key with the formation of ice on bodies of water is that it is not consistently forming at the same thickness/same rate all over the water surface.
“What may look like good ice thickness on the edge or where you experimentally throw the rock on the ice to determine the thickness, may very well be okay for that particular spot, but two feet over, it could be too thin to go on.”
Krich explained there are a lot of variables that need to be considered on how ice forms or builds.
“Any kind of movement underneath means the water doesn’t freeze or, if the water is not clean, it doesn’t freeze as well as clean water.”
He added that snow covering ice adds a layer of  insulation, which means the water may not freeze as quickly.
“Then you have animals underneath the ice moving around, such as beavers, which will contribute to thinner ice.
“You also have the geese this time of year still looking for open water on any large bodies of water. They will find that little bit of open water and they will keep it open by their movement in the water. Even when they do leave, the water close to where the birds were might freeze, but not exactly where the birds were, and that portion of the lake becomes very thin.”
He said that this may not be visible from the shoreline and can be very deceiving.
“As well, as ice builds, it wants to take up the space in the water, so it pressures up and creates little heaves in the ice and those create areas where the water doesn’t freeze. This also becomes another danger zone.”
Krich’s point is that there are many variables that affect ice conditions, creating many hidden dangers on what may appear to be frozen waterbodies.
“This beginning stage of ice making is the most dangerous,” repeated Krich. “We (Fire Department) have experienced that in the past from an ice rescue point of view, where you get people who want to go and test the ice, which is not safe. The best rule of thumb is to wait until very cold weather and no fluctuations in weather risking melt and thinner ice.”
Krich also advised residents on keeping their pets safe around ice on waterbodies. “If you are walking  your dog close to bodies of water, make sure the dog is leashed. We have done a number of dog rescues where a dog has run out onto the ice because they are not very heavy, then come across a weak spot and go through the ice. Then the owner, being heavier and usually larger than the dog, tries to go out and save the dog and goes through. Now we have two rescues.”
Krich strongly advises to call for help and not attempt to rescue the animal. “If the dog went through because the ice was unsafe, the pet owner is going to go through as well.”
In an effort to ensure all residents’ safety, the City tests the ice by drilling holes and experimenting on how thick the ice is before they actually will allow anybody on the ice. Waterbodies within the City are posted with “Ice Unsafe” signs, which residents are advised to mind. Once the ice is determined to be safe by the City, the signs will be removed.
If at any point the City deems ice to be unsafe, the signs will be reposted.
When and if the time should arise for a ice rescue, residents can rest assured that Camrose Fire Department is well prepared for the job at hand.
“We have the tools and equipment, the training techniques and ability to be able to go out and do the rescue in a safe and effective manner,” said Chief Krich.
On November 16 during the CFD regular training night, one group of the volunteer members braved the frigid winds and temperatures with an on-site ice rescue training session. The waterbody was first carefully tested for thickness and stability before a hole was made in order to simulate a victim who had fallen through the ice and was in need of rescue.
All members entering onto the ice and subsequently into the water suited up in special waterproof, cold-resistant suits and were tethered to safety lines held on the shore. One member would submerge up to their neck into the icy water, while another member would use one of the techniques for ice rescuing.
On-shore members manned the pull lines and would also, in the event of an actual rescue, control crowds.
While the training session was a controlled situation, the sense of urgency amidst the members was real. Every aspect of the training was gone over in great detail, with members taking turns at being the victim and being the on-ice rescuer. Communication between the “simulation” victim in the water and rescuers on shore never stopped. At all times, the victim was being instructed on what was going to happen and reassured that they were being helped.
“We have done some training in the swimming pool in a warmer controlled environment as well,” said Krich. “That way we can also simulate a struggling victim and how the rescuer should respond should the victim try to pull them down or become very overly anxious.”
Krich said communication with the victim is imperative in order to control the situation. “It is important that the victim understand what we (fire rescue) are asking them to do so we can help them. The first thing we tell all fire rescue is to make contact with the victim so we have direct and constant communication with the victim and give them an understanding of what is going to transpire so they know what we want from them and they don’t panic. We will get to them.”
He said no matter what else, the victim needs to listen to the people (fire rescue) on the shoreline. “They will give direction, support and ultimately they will get you out.”
Training for ice rescue is done by all CFD firefighters annually this time of year when the ice is still forming and it is optimum for dangerous situations.
 “That is what training is all about,” said Krich, “Being proficient and being prepared to provide the services that we need to our citizens.”
In the event of falling through ice, Krich said the first line of defence is to try to self rescue. If at all possible, try to get yourself up and off the ice. “We always promote self rescue first to the best of the person’s  ability. Get out safely, but because of the cold temperatures, their efforts will be dramatically reduced. But don’t burn all your energy. Remain as calm as you can, and make sure help is coming as quickly as possible.”
Ice rescue is just one more service provided by the dedicated firefighters of Camrose Fire Department, which, with the exception of a few paid members, is comprised of all volunteers from the community.
“They are dedicated to what they have committed themselves to and they enjoy what they do.”
They are an incredible group of people who sacrifice time away from their own lives and risk their own safety and lives to come to the aid of anyone in any emergent situation.