Cochrane Fire Services wrapped up their ice rescue re-certification last week on the storm water retention pond in Riversong (April 6).

Fire Prevention Officer Jeff Avery says all Cochrane full-time fire fighters are certified as well as half of the casual crew to perform rescues on the ice. Avery adds that this time of year is especially dangerous as conditions are completely unstable. This year compared to last was difficult for the firefighters.

"We did our training a little early last year and we did our training at Mitford. The ice was a little over a foot thick so it was pretty easy training where you could easily walk onto the ice, rescue somebody, pull them out, and walk back to shore. Where having it a little bit later this year where you're falling through the ice yourself and there's slushy spots, it was more realistic this year training because this is the kind of conditions we're going to be rescuing in when somebody has tried to walk across, tested the elements, and failed."

Cochrane Fire Services have had very few incidents in the past, but Avery thought this year would be when they'd get a call. "This was the year that scared us the most. With more retention ponds coming in, population is getting bigger, and the weather was fluctuating so much. I thought we would get one or two, but we were lucky we didn't have one."

Education is key when it comes to keeping community members safe, but unfortunately Fire Services see evidence of people on retention ponds all the time.

"The one by Bow Valley High School we had five signs around there with the developer and our signs and there was still a hockey rink that was shoveled off so people are still using it. We went around door to door, handed some pamphlets out to tell the dangers of the ponds, it is going to take time, but hopefully people will get it eventually."

Fire services are hoping a bylaw will be approved, because as of now enforcement is limited. "We are hoping that comes into effect next year; I know bylaw are working on that and then council votes on that and passes it through. That might make a difference because then we can enforce it if someone is on the pond, but right now we can ask them to leave the ponds but we can't really enforce or ticket anybody for being on the ponds."

It can take fire services roughly 10 minutes to be ready for an ice rescue in Cochrane; depending on where their required to go, getting dressed in proper gear, and putting their own safety measures into place. Fire services knows every second is critical if someone has fallen through.

 

Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com