MEMBERS OF THE ORANGEVILLE Fire Department practice rescue techniques with new equipment recently acquired by the department. Contributed Photo The Orangeville Fire Department now has an underwater camera to assist in ice and water rescues.

The fire department conducts mandatory ice and water rescue training twice a year for all firefighters. The most recent training was held on an area pond.

"The feedback from all the firefighters was that they enjoyed it and felt it was very worthwhile training," said Deputy Fire Chief said Ron Morden. "It's nice to get that feedback from the firefighters because we're taking time on a weekend away from their families."

The Orangeville Fire Department trains in different locations to vary the situation, which helps firefighters be prepared for almost anything. They regularly train in Island Lake, at private residences, in rivers and streams.

Last year, the Shelburne Fire Department requested their help when a man had fell into a pond and was unable to save himself.

The unfortunate incident led to a fellow firefighter suggesting the "Aqua-Vu" underwater camera to the fire department because it can often take the OPP some time to bring together a diving team.

The fire department was able to find an underwater camera that is often used by fishermen. The inexpensive camera has a clear image, which enables the firefighters to look for people and things under water. They can lower the camera while the television monitor is mounted into their craft. The image can vary depending on seaweed, swamp or if the water is disturbed.

A donation to the fire department 17 years ago started the water and ice water rescue training. Thanks to that donation the department was able to buy specialized equipment.

"Every year we get something new," said Fire Chief Andy Macintosh. "It gives us the ability to help people in emergencies."

The equipment and training is important because there have been incidences, in other areas, where firefighters have lost their lives trying to save someone in the water.

The entire fire department is required to take part in the training. They cannot take everybody at once on the ice and water rescue, so the firefighters are trained in squads and platoons. All of the firefighters, including volunteer members, are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of training per year to maintain their certification.

The firefighters are trained on how to rescue themselves, as well as others. In the water and ice rescue training they were placed on the ice, in their suits, and tethered to their craft and then the ice was broken so they could experience the sensation of crashing through the ice.

Acquisition of the equipment for ice and water rescues, for about $25,000, was achieved, for the most part, through the department's budget. It includes six ice commander suits, two rapid deployment craft, a rope reel that is about 350 feet, a rescue retriever that deploys about 750 feet, various throw bags, personal flotation devices and their newest piece of equipment— an underwater camera.

Over the years the fire department has upgraded its equipment as new technologies emerge.

The ice and water rescue takes a minimum of 10 firefighters and their goal is to take 10 minutes from their arrival to perform the rescue under a procedure they call, "talk, reach and throw".

They also use another procedure called shorebased rescue, which means the watercraft is tethered to the shore at all times and the firefighters are tethered to the watercraft as a safety precaution and as a back-up in case something goes wrong.

The first apparatus arriving on the scene will go to the shore and anyone who is 10 feet from the shore must wear a personal flotation device. The person on shore will communicate and talk to the victim to reassure him or her that the firefighters are coming out to help.

The firefighters try to use ropes and "throw bags" to assist the victim. As this is taking place, other firefighters are setting up the main system. If the ropes and throw bags fail, or the victim is too far out, the firefighters do the actual rescue.

The Polar 75 boat that's used for the ice and water rescue inflates within 20 seconds and it can carry approximately 2,000 pounds in body weight. The ends of the boat are open ended, which enables the firefighters to stay within the craft and pull the victim out of the water.

The firefighters must also wear Mustang ice commander suits that provide them with thermal protection, as well as a flotation device.

As recently as April 19, the fire department received a call when a man fell out of his canoe on Island Lake. Fortunately, when they arrived on the scene people who had witnessed the accident had already safely coached him back to shore, but the firefighters are glad they have the ability and training to help in such instances.