Area First Responders Train for Ice Water Rescues
Monday, January 28th, 2019 -- 8:11 AM
(WDLB) -First responders from 15 area fire departments spent part of their weekend training to perform ice water rescues.The Pittsville Fire Company offered the hands-on training on Saturday at a private pond south of Pittsville, after those same firefighters spent the morning in a classroom setting taking an ice rescue technician course offered at the Pittsville Fire Department, before heading out to the ice for the real thing. Pittsville Fire Chief Jerry Minor said 52 people completed Saturday's classroom and hands-on certifications. Minor said trainees from Arpin, Richfield, Remington, Hewitt, Vesper, Saratoga, Port Edwards, Grand Rapids, Neillsville, Granton, Lyndon Station, Pittsville, Lincoln, Armenia and the SAFER department from the Wausau Metro all took part in Saturday's training. Arpin Fire Chief Luke Bravener took four of his crew members to Saturday's Ice Water Rescue Course. Bravener took the training two years ago, and says his department now has eight or nine firefighters who are certified in ice rescue. Bravener was with the Sherry Fire Department before joining the Arpin Department, and grew up in fire service.
Bravener said he has not had to use his ice water rescue training in a real situation yet. 21-year-old Alicia Olson of Marshfield is a member of the Richfield Fire Department, and learned a number of ice water rescue techniques on Saturday, including how to safe herself. Olson said she's been a member of the Richfield Fire Department for a couple years. Saturday's training and certification marked the 21st year of the program. The full course is offered to area departments every two years, with refresher classes on the off-years.
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