Firefighters take the plunge

Published 7:59 am Thursday, December 9, 2010

Austin Fire Chief Mickey Healey, center, goes over tie-off techniques for winter water rescue with firefighters Josh Kunze, right, and Steve Turner during training Wednesday morning. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Austin firefighters have been finding themselves in an odd position this week — floating in a 6 feet by 6 feet area of water cut out of the already-frozen Mill Pond.

The Austin Fire Department was on Mill Pond both Monday and Wednesday simulating ice water rescues for training purposes.

“It’s an annual refresher we do every year,” Fire Chief Mickey Healey said. “We try and stay current on all of our skills.”

Email newsletter signup

The firefighters trained for both self-rescue and victim removal from the water.

“Whether we actually do a rescue each year, it’s hard to say,” said Healey. “But any time we have to go in and get someone out of the water it is considered a rescue.”

Healey said ice should be at least six inches thick before it is considered safe on which to walk or ride a vehicle. He also said anyone going on the ice should make sure and take precautions beforehand, such as letting somebody know where they will be and when they will return.

A person should also avoid going on the ice alone just in case of an accident.

And, of course, it is important for an individual not to panic if he or she does fall through the ice.

“The best thing people can do if they fall in is to get to the edge of the ice and hold themselves up on it,” Healey said. “Maintain your body as far as trying to (physically) hold it together. Tuck your legs up to keep the heat in.”