GRANDVIEW, Mo. — This winter has been harsh compared to past years, and most people don't want to be out in the cold. But for emergency crews, it's a great time to train for ice rescues.
"Some years, we have some ice to work with and then some years, we don't. We have to use live water," Grandview Assistant Fire Chief Jim Toone said.
Firefighters and EMTs trained Tuesday, learning everything from how to pull someone out of the water to making sure they get out of the icy water safely.
Last year, Grandview firefighters didn't conduct any ice rescues. So far this year, they have had one.
"We try to tell people it's really never safe in Missouri or in the (Kansas City) area to be on ice. Because we do have a week of cold, then a 60-, 70-degree day. The ice right now is only about an inch or inch and a half deep," Toone said.
Grandview Fire Chief Ron Graham said there are three things people should remember when they see an ice-covered pond. First, don't go onto the ice in groups.
"A lot of kids will go out and maybe one going out there isn't a big deal. But when you get four, five or six (people) out in the area, now all of the sudden you have six times the weight," Graham said.
Second, don't lose sight of a pet near ice or water.
"If a pet got loose or runs out on that ice and breaks through, (the owner is) going to run out too. The hole makes it compromised and they will break through, too," Graham said.
Finally, if you do fall through ice, do not panic.
"Try to get their arms over the edge over the ice and call for help," Toone said.
