On Thin Ice: Clinton Township hosts rescue class

Bainbridge firefighter Nicole Rodert floats near the Glenn Flint Lake dock Saturday during an ice rescue class.

Courtesy photo

While temperatures reached the 50s on Saturday morning, a good sheet of ice remained on area lakes and ponds.

It provided the perfect day for the Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Department to host an ice rescue class.

After Saturday, nearly 20 firefighters from four area departments are now certified or recertified to do ice rescues.

Clinton Township Chief Kenneth Stone explained that the class consisted of a classroom portion in the morning before the responders actually got out on the ice in the afternoon.

Wearing an insulated suit that also provides buoyancy, the firefighters first had to display their ability to self rescue.

The were then sent out in pairs, with one as the victim and the other as the rescuer.

Finally, they went through a full-fledged scenario as if responders were arriving at the scene with a victim through the ice.

Two firefighters crawl across the ice following a simulated rescue Saturday afternoon.

Courtesy photo

Calling it a “very eventful day,” Stone thought things went well.

“Everybody passed,” he said. “We have several new ice rescue certifications around Putnam County, making our group a little larger.”

Besides Clinton Township, others departments taking part included Bainbridge and Roachdale, as well as Bellmore in Parke County.

While the rising temperatures might have been worried some, Stone said conditions were ideal for such a class.

“We had a really good portion, probably about 4-5 inches of clear ice, which is the really strong, strong ice we are looking for,” Stone said. “Of course, when we make the holes in the ice, that compromises the ice.”

He said even this was a good thing, as the compromised ice made it more realistic, with rescuers trying to get up on ice shelves.

Area firefighters celebrate the completion of an ice rescue class on Glenn Flint Lake.

Courtesy photo