Despite Mild Winter, Simsbury FD Ready For Ice Rescues

SIMSBURY, CT — If you saw a swarm of Simsbury Volunteer Fire Department firefighters swarming a local pond over the weekend, nothing was wrong.

They were merely practicing for a real situation involving someone falling through the ice.

According to the SVFD, last week's unbearably cold temperatures did produce one benefit — an opportunity to train for ice rescues.

As a result, department members were at Town Forest Park, 86 Town Forest Road, to prepare for something they hope isn't necessary: rescuing a person or animal that has fallen through the ice.

"The below-freezing temperatures over the last few days finally produced some ice on the pond at Town Forest Park allowing for the SVFC to get out and train today," wrote the SVFD via social media on Sunday.

"Firefighters were able to practice skills utilizing the equipment we carry for ice water rescue."

Of course, the mild winter — which is expected to continue this week after the brief cold spell — has led to an absence of ice on local lakes and ponds.

But should there be another cold snap that would freeze water surfaces, it could create a situation where the ice wouldn't be as thick as in year's past this time year.

And that, unfortunately, could mead the services of the SVFD's ice rescue skills could be needed, even though its been far from a frozen winter, so far.

For the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Department's Facebook page, click on this link