Stoughton Firefighters Train for Cold Water Rescues

Firefighters took to the cold waters of Harris Pond off Lakewood Drive in Stoughton early Thursday morning.  

Instructed by Stoughton’s Safety and Training Captain, James Bertram and Group 2 Captain Doug Campbell, Group 2’s 11 member crew participated in the annual training.

This hands-on training, which lasted approximately one-hour, included a simulation in which the firefighter was both the “victim” and member of the rescuing team.  

Using just a water rescue tether, a carabiner clip and a pool noodle, the rescuing team was able to retrieve the “victim” in a matter of moments.

from Group 1 also had an last Thursday at this same pond.

There are various types of bodies of water within the town such as drainage ponds and streams and there are differences in handling varying depths of water, Bertram explained.

Harris Pond (a.k.a. Pinewood Pond) was at about five feet on Thursday. As point of comparison, Glen Echo is the town’s deepest at about ten to twelve feet.

Bertram stressed the need to “be careful,” sharing some of the challenges that the firefighters may encounter.

“There are physiological components, people can become disoriented, you need to be ready,” he said.

After the training was complete Bertram explained that water rescues are a “high risk, low frequency type of call.”

Even though he said that it is important that each group have an opportunity to receive this type of training once a year, Bertram admits, “It can be tough though. It’s tough to train and work on calls. Most of our training is in-service training.”

Luckily for Group 2, Thursday’s training was not interrupted by an emergency call and with the shift being fully staffed the entire crew is now fully re-trained on cold/icy water rescues.