Members of Strongsville Fire and Emergency Services got a mid-January refresher course in ice rescue as part of their ongoing training.
Firemedics donned special cold-water suits to practice rescuing victims who have fallen through the ice. Lt. AJ Aljabi said the exposure suits are carried on Strongsville’s emergency vehicles to be used by all Firemedics on shift.
“We’ve only got so much time before hypothermia sets in. We can’t wait for a special rescue team to arrive,” Aljabi said.
The training included techniques for walking on ice, trying to reach victims with a pole and plunging into the icy water to secure and pull out a victim.