The Fire Chief’s Blog

For the past few weeks we have been conducting Ice Rescue training on our area lakes. This is a good time of year for the training, the ice is generally not as thick and the temperatures are a little more moderate.

This year we are testing a new technology that allows the rescuers to carry a small inflatable boat out to the victim and then inflate the device when open water is reached. This is a new technology and we have been fortunate enough to have been selected to try it out. The new technology is highly effective, our training with it was a big success.

Like all of our training we hope we never encounter a ife threatening situation that requires getting people out of icy waters, but if it does happen, our regular trainng along with the effective use of new technologies gives us a better chance of a positive outcome for both rescuers and victims.

Last Friday was the water testing day for our new Fire/Rescue boat, a few minor items were discovered that needed tending to so another session took place today, Friday. Click the thumbnails to enlarge.

The boat performed exceptionally well and is now back in Eden Prairie for some final details that our Fleet Services staff performs so well; wiring the emergency lighting, and final hook-up of the communications systems.

A cold day to test our new Fire/Rescue boat last Friday, but that was the date selected a few weeks ago when it appeared the weather would never cool off. Well Friday came and it wasn’t all that nice, but as they say in Hollywood, the show must go on. Assistant Chiefs Koering and Taylor made the trip to Red Wing, Mn to open water and gave the boat a workout. Everything went well with a few minor exceptions, another trial will take place this week or early next week.
We will have the boat ready for action on our local lakes and waterways by the time the ice leaves us. Click the thumbnail to enlarge.