Who trains the trainers? More than a dozen ice water rescue trainers were on a frozen Delta Lake on Tuesday to receive their own training in how to fish a person out of icy water.
The training was conducted through the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control, part of the state Division of Homeland Security. Once properly certified, the trainers will then go out and train firefighters across the state in ice water rescue.
“Central New York is one of the few places that is fortunate to have ice this year,” said Steve Kurtelawicz, chief of special operations.
About 18 trainees clambered out onto the ice near the boat launch at Delta Lake State Park on Tuesday. The training incorporated the “Reach, Throw, Row and Go” technique for ice water rescue, which involves escalating responses for saving lives.
Rescuers can try and simply reach for the victim, throw them something to grab onto, row out to them, or just go straight onto the ice to save them.