Any water and ice rescues conducted by the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service in the immediate future will be done from shore.
The move allows the department to get up-to-date equipment and training to do rescues safely.
Interim Fire Chief Dave Robertson says acquiring new equipment has already started.
“We are purchasing up-to-date gear, new gear, new PFDs, helmets, lamps, marine grade binoculars, Mustang suits, floating rope,” says Robertson.
Training sessions are also being set up.
Robertson says it will start with a refresher course on rescues where firefighters do not enter the water.
This will include practice sessions from shore.
He hopes to be moving into water rescue training before the spring.
“We actually are going to be at the Memorial (Sports Centre) pool here very soon. The training officer is working with the (Sports Centre) to get an instructor that’s actually going to guide us towards the finer points of rescue swimming.”
“There are things that you have to do to pass this swim test. Rescue swimming is not as simple as a simple breaststroke. Lifeguard swimming is what it comes down to. And we are actively moving towards getting us all into water and ice training in the very near future.”
Ice rescue training will likely take place next winter.
The training is being made available to all full-time and volunteer firefighters.
“We’ve got a very capable firefighter who is heading up the program who’s been involved in rescue for a number of years. We’ve got a crew that is eager to grow and learn and do well. Ideally, I would like to see us be able to enter the water by the time recreation time, in the summer comes along.”
