Richmond, MA - The team had planned to conduct ice water rescue training, but the conditions at the pond required a quick adjustment. Even at the deepest part of the pond, the water only reached waist-deep while standing on the pond floor.

Rather than calling it a loss, the crew quickly improvised. They shifted the focus of the session to discussing ice drafting, cut a hole in the ice near the shore, and used the opportunity to move a significant amount of water with the new Engine 1.

The night ultimately proved productive. As the team joked, it wasn’t a complete wash.

Ice drafting involves cutting a hole in a frozen body of water—such as a pond, lake, or stream—to access the water beneath the ice. This technique is especially important when dry hydrants freeze during critical moments. By cutting through the ice, firefighters can place suction lines into open water and draw it into the pump.

While the process itself is relatively simple, it remains an essential skill that requires regular discussion, review, and training to ensure crews are prepared when the situation demands it.

For now, the team is hoping warmer weather is just around the corner—so ice rescues and ice drafting can wait until next winter.