Kamloops Fire Rescue performed some ice rescue training on Wednesday along the South Thompson River (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

STAY OFF THE ICE

WATCH: Kamloops Fire Rescue staying prepared with ice rescue training

Jan 12, 2022 | 4:46 PM

KAMLOOPS — Warmer temperatures this week have melted away much of the snow in Kamloops, and the ice on the South and North Thompson Rivers has also weakened significantly.

The conditions are a recipe for danger if people go out on the ice. Today (Jan. 12), Kamloops Fire Rescue conducted a training exercise to keep crews in practice for any potential ice rescues.

“Typically we get anywhere from say 10 to 20 ice calls a year, ” says KFR Life Safety Educator Jeff Pont, “A smaller number of those are calls that actually involve us having to go into the water. The perfect number would be zero.”

When a call for an ice rescue comes in, Kamloops Fire Rescue crews quickly put on Ice Commander rescue suits, and head out to wherever they’re needed. Training days are conducted to keep everyone up to date with rescue techniques.

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

6h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 12, 2024

Dec 12, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: North Shore BIA working hard to develop a 'happening place'

Dec 12, 2024

“Every year we get everybody at KFR, every single crew, to come down for at least one day of ice training, and this practical situation that we run through,” explains Pont.

The training session near Pioneer Park along the South Thompson River included several different exercises that would be used to get someone out of the river.

“Basically we go off three principles. Reach, throw, go,” explains Pont, “So the less people we can put on the ice and in the water, the better. So if we can reach them with a pole or a ladder or one of our sleds, that’s our first attempt. Throw – we throw a rope out, they can grab on and we’ll pull them in. And if we have to go in we use the sled, we use somebody on there and we go in the water after them and bring them out.”

Pont points out this time of year can be especially dangerous when temperatures fluctuate and the ice changes so rapidly.

“Definitely with the rivers, something to consider is that the currents are moving and that makes a lot more fragile ice. We recommend actually never going on the ice in the rivers in town.”

Even people who know not to venture on the ice may be tempted if they see a dog or another animal out there, but KFR says it’s safer to stay on the shore and call them.

“More people end up in the water trying to save animals — their pets and things like that — and then that becomes more dangerous. So call 9-1-1, we’ll come down here, we’ll get your dog out of the water, and keep everyone safe that way.”