(COLORADO SPRINGS) — It might sound like your worst nightmare… falling through the ice on a partially frozen lake. This time of year it’s a very real fear, especially for your pets and children. Thankfully, the Heavy Rescue Team based out of the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD), is pretty high-tech. They spent all day Thursday preparing for that exact emergency.
Ice rescues are one of the most dangerous things they do.
The work includes many layers of protection like air tanks, communication lines, special gear to stay warm, and so much more. That’s why their practice is so important, to make sure they’re ready to go when the minutes matter most.
A very special member of their team is an underwater drone. It provides video and sonar and is equipped with headlights and a claw. With the tool, they can access depths that their divers can’t reach for rescues and recoveries. It also provides an extra set of “eyes” and “hands” under the ice.
They say ice is very deceiving, and can be dangerous even if it’s thick.
“We have a lot of bodies of water here around Colorado Springs, and in the county. Our big message is to not go up onto the ice. Don’t play on the ice. Don’t try to set up an ice hockey rink on the ice. Just because you don’t truly know what that (ice) composition is,” said Cameron Halverson, a CSFD Firefighter Paramedic with the heavy rescue program.
They say this level of response is very unique, and not all fire departments have it. They’re one of the only dive teams in the southern part of the state.
