Athol, MA — January 8 — An ice rescue sled is a specialized tool used by fire departments to reach and remove people who have fallen through ice on ponds, lakes, or rivers. Ice rescue sleds are one of the winter emergency response tools used by the Athol Fire Department.

By distributing their weight across the ice while remaining low to the surface, the sled lowers the possibility of further ice failure.

Ice rescue operations require specific training, collaboration, and suitable equipment owing to quickly changing ice conditions. The public is still being reminded by fire officials that regulated ice skating rinks are the only places to find safe ice since natural ice is unpredictable.