St. Marys Firefighters train for water rescue

Apr. 16, 2024, St. Marys, Ont. – Last weekend, the St. Marys Fire Department practiced still water rescue techniques at the St. Marys Quarry. They used specialized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ropes, poles and a stokes litter basket to simulate water rescue scenarios.

“This is a high-risk, low-frequency event. This is one of those events that doesn’t happen a lot but when it does happen, it’s dangerous. We do it now, so our members are refreshed in their water rescue training. You will see us practicing for still, swift, and ice water rescue all year round,” Lieutenant Darcy Robinson said.

“One or two firefighters would enter the water to save the victim or the patient, and somebody would stay back to pull them out,” Robinson explained. “We have other options such as a Fortuna boat which is a specialized rescue boat for water and ice. Or, in the worst-case, most dangerous part, our members must go into the water and swim up to the person.”

“The highly trained members of the ‘Go Team’ are knowledgeable in all things water, ice, and cold-water safety, and know how to help somebody if they were to fall in the water or through the ice,” says Fire Chief Richard “Andy” Anderson.

“Being mindful of your surroundings near water and ice is crucial,” Anderson says. “Anyone venturing out should always share their plans with someone, carry ice picks, depending on the season, and wear a life preserver. These precautions can provide you with additional time and energy in case of an emergency.”