(FOX LAKE) As ice continues to form on area lakes, Fox Lake firefighters are preparing for the moments no one wants to think about — when someone falls through.
The Fox Lake Fire Department recently trained on newly formed ice, practicing rescue techniques designed to pull people out safely and quickly. Crews worked through scenarios using both single- and multiple-rescuer methods, along with the department’s Rapid Deployment Craft, a specialized boat built for icy water rescues.
The training comes as more people head onto frozen lakes to fish, skate or explore — often before ice conditions are fully reliable. Fire officials stress that even when a lake looks solid, ice strength can change quickly because of weather, currents and underwater springs.
No ice is ever completely safe, firefighters said. Anyone choosing to go out is urged to wear a float suit or life vest and to carry ice picks and a throw rope that could help pull someone to safety. A spud bar can be used to check ice thickness as conditions change.
Fire officials also recommend telling someone where you plan to be and when you expect to return, especially if you’re going out alone. Those unfamiliar with a lake or its current conditions should look for up-to-date ice reports before venturing out.
Local bait shops, including Fish Tales in Fox Lake, are often a reliable source for current ice information, firefighters said. As winter activities pick up, the department hopes preparation on both sides — rescuers and the public — will prevent emergencies before they happen.
–Photo courtesy of the Fox Lake Fire Department Facebook page
