May 2000
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Cold Water Rescueby David BrisonHinchinbrooke
and Oso fire departments have responded to the need to safely rescue
people who have gone through the ice while snowmobiling, skating,
driving their ATVs, or driving to their ice huts - unfortunately an all
too frequent occurrence in our land of lakes. 
The
ice is now gone from our lakes but the water is still cold enough for
hypothermia to develop quickly if someone goes into the water and can't
get out right away. Both departments have sent men to
the School of Wilderness Arts and Technology in Palmer Rapids, Ontario
for training in cold-water rescue. Jamie Shanks, Tom Lee, & Jeff
Bull (Hinchinbrooke) and Mark Powell & Bill Young (Oso) have been
certified by the school as trainers, and have returned to train their
own fire department members in the techniques and use of rescue
equipment.
The departments have each purchased equipment: immersion suits that
will keep the wearer afloat and warm; spools of rope that can be
anchored in the ice and extend up to 900 ft; high powered portable
search lights to find people at night; portable floatation devices that
can be thrown to drowning victims; and a rigid plastic pipe-like cord,
approximately 3/4 inch, which extends 120 ft. and can be easily
manoeuvred to a victim in open water. 
The joint crews have spent many Saturday mornings training together.
They will cover all of Central Frontenac and both departments will go
to every call so that they can back each other up. The Kennebec
department is gearing up to assist.
Mark Powell participated in the attempted rescue of John Gable in
Sharbot Lake on December 28, 1998. "We might have been able to save him
if we were properly equipped and trained. When we arrived, we could
hear his voice but couldn't locate him - I think we would have found
him with the portable light we now have. We all put our own lives at
risk because the ice was very thin and we didn't have suits on."
The Friday Night Ladies, a Sharbot Lake group, helped raise funds for
ice rescue equipment following John Gable's death. Jocelyn Steeves, a
member of that group, says, "The collective communities raised $13 000
of the $21 000 required for equipment. We urge the community to
continue to support the fundraising activities. A dance is planned and
the firemen will raffle off a riding lawn mower, a BBQ, and a patio set
on August 8th. As a group, we are very thankful for the ongoing
commitment shown by the volunteer fire fighters."
"This has been quite an experience for me", said Tom Lee. "I have not
only learned the rescue techniques myself, but as trainers, Jamie,
Jeff, and I have certified 10 other members of our department."
Our firemen are a skilled, highly motivated, and dedicated group. They
are all volunteers and their work should be acknowledged.
