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WEBSTER, MA - The Webster Rescue Squad and the Douglas Fire Department joined forces on the evening of December 26th to conduct a joint ice rescue drill at Webster Lake. Members of the Webster Rescue Squad instructed some of the Douglas Fire members in the finer points of surface ice rescue procedures. With the colder weather settling in and similar incidents of people and animals falling through the ice across the northern parts of the country, the two emergency service units decided that it would be prudent to hone their water and ice rescue skills.

During the drill, one member would don an ice rescue suit and play the ‘victim’, floating in the open water clinging to the edge of the ice shelf. A ‘rescuer’, in a similar ice rescue suit who was tied off to a shore based tender, carefully approached and made verbal contact with the victim. The rescuer then entered the water behind the victim, secured the rope around the victim and gave the signal to be pulled from the frigid waters and into shore.

All who took part got a chance to rescue as well as be rescued. The three hour drill was a much needed refresher on ice rescue techniques for both departments, and many member received invaluable practical experience.