Shelter Island’s emergency responders took part in ice rescue training over the weekend in somewhat slushy conditions at Fresh Pond.
Members of the Shelter Island Police Department, along with volunteers from the Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services squad took turns playing the roles of rescuer and rescued, practicing the use of various tools and devices designed for ice work.
For most, it was a chance to brush up on skills they haven’t practiced since the last training session two winters ago; others were trying out the gear for the first time.
There were different types of dry suits to work with — including red “Gumby” neoprene immersion suits and yellow Mustang survival suits. Each has its idiosyncrasies. For instance, if you don’t “burp” the captured air out of the neck of the suit, tremendous pressure can build up inside.
Those volunteering to be rescued slid out across the fragile ice on the pond. The first group of volunteers ended up getting fairly far out before immersing themselves in water that was just above freezing (later the ice deteriorated somewhat).
The would-be rescuers then took turns familiarizing themselves with the Town’s Marsar’s Ice Rescue kits comprised of a buoyant sled, sling, tethering clips and lines, and handheld ice picks for gaining traction on slippery surfaces.
Once the rescuers were properly fitted into survival suits, they hooked themselves to the sleds while onshore riggers ensured they were properly tethered. Then, belly down as if they were riding a boogie board, they slid or, when the ice began to give way, swam out to the “victims”.
Once there, they worked on best practices for how to approach a person frantically gripping onto the edge of the ice, how to slide the sling over the person’s head and secure it under their arms, how to use the sled to get the person out of the water and onto the surface of the ice, and return together to shore.
A strong turnout
The session began at the EMS barn with an hour of training videos and Q&A. SIPD Detective-Sergeant Jack H. Thilberg, who also serves as the Town’s EMS Director and ran the program, said that in addition to practicing old skills and learning new techniques, the three units benefit from spending time together.
There was a very strong turnout from all three agencies:
SIPD officers present were officers Sean Clark, Andrew Graffagnino, Glenn Kehl, Anthony Rando and James Read III, and Bay Constables John Mahoney, Butch Labrozzi, Beau Payne and Peter Vielbig.
From the SIFD, Chief Anthony Reiter attended along with Stan Beckwith, Hap Bowditch, J.C. Chavez, Lew Corbett, Stewart Mackie, Rich O’Halloran, Dan Rasmussen and Earl Reiter.
On board from the SIEMS were Ollie Campbell, Sam Case, Alyse Clark, Donna Clark, Kate Davidson, Mark Kanarvogel, Michael Martin, Annmarie Seddio, Tyler Shepherd, and Nicole Strauss.
