Being prepared for any emergency is vital for our local first responders, this includes responding to ice and cold-water rescues.

This past weekend over 40 members from the Center Moriches Fire Department and East Moriches Fire Department teamed up for a day of ice rescue training.

Members from the Center Moriches FD taught the morning class reviewing hypothermia, ice rescue equipment, rescue techniques and patient care. Afterwards the group headed to Walden Pond in East Moriches to practice what they learned.

While wearing special dry suits to protect them from hypothermia firefighters entered the icey cold water and ran through different rescue scenarios. This type of training allows our firefighters to sharpen their skills and build teamwork between the two departments.

Thanks to all of our first responders who are prepared to respond to this type of ‘high risk’ rescue at a moment’s notice.