GENEVA, NY — March 7th — Along with the Penn Yan Fire Department and the Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department, members of the City of Geneva Fire Department took part in regional ice rescue training. Operations during ice and cold-water situations, which continue to be a concern across the Finger Lakes region in the winter and early spring, were the main emphasis of the training. Crews went over how to operate on unstable ice, how to handle equipment, and how to respond.

Temperature changes can cause ice conditions to change rapidly, thus ongoing training is crucial for responder safety and efficient rescue operations. Departments near lakes and rivers frequently keep up specific training for cold-water occurrences, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The program, which was arranged by the Penn Yan Fire Department, gave regional teams a chance to practice together and improve coordination in the event of a winter water emergency.