January 29, 2026 — Members of the Chepachet Fire Department conducted hands-on training this week focused on ice rescue preparedness, reviewing the deployment and operation of the department’s inflatable water rescue craft. The training emphasized rapid response techniques and safety considerations for incidents involving compromised ice, a heightened concern during prolonged cold weather. Crews reinforced best practices for cold-water operations and announced additional on-ice rescue training scheduled for the upcoming weekend, underscoring the department’s commitment to readiness as winter conditions persist. Officials reminded the public to exercise extreme caution on frozen waterways, noting that ice conditions can change quickly despite extended cold temperatures.