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On Tuesday January 29th 2008 Brewerton Fire Department and The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit teamed up to practice rescue techniques of one or multiple victims from the icy waters of Oneida lake. The fire department utilized their air boat WR-2 (Water Rescue 2), the Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit utilized their helicopter Air-1. Manual rope rescue techniques were also practiced. Two holes were cut in the ice and three simulated victims were sent out. One went in the hole closer to shore and the other two went in the furthest hole. The first of the two victims in the furthest hole was rescued by WR-2. The air boat crew of two proceeded out onto the ice covered lake, circled around, and aligned themselves with their target destination. They then eased toward the victim slowly. Once they were next to the victim, the rescuer was able to pull him into the boat, the victim was then driven to shore. During an actual incident the ambulance would have been there to take over care of the patient at that time.
The second victim in the furthest hole was rescued by Air-1. Air-1's pilot lifted off out of the fisherman’s parking lot and came down to hover approximately fifty yards from the victim. At that time the second man on the helicopter went to the back of the air craft to ready himself and strap in. When he was ready the helicopter eased toward the hole where the victim was and hovered with the skid of the helicopter feet, if not, inches from the ice. The rescuer inside the helicopter grabbed the victim and hoisted them into the air craft. They lifted off, circled around, and landed adjacent to the dock to drop off the victim. The one picture of the helicopter is at the time of drop off.
The third victim was rescued by one rescuer connected with a rope to a line tender on shore. The rescuer makes his way out onto the ice and in an attempt to not fall through the ice, lays down and rolls to maneuver himself behind the victim. The rescuer enters the water behind the victim all the while talking to, and calming the victim. The rescuer reaches around the victim, clips the rope and gives the signal for the crews on shore to pull them in. There are many different methods for reaching victims that include long floatation devices and rope if the victim can grab on, and a sled we use called “Rescue Alive”. The sled spreads out the weight of the rescuer so they may not fall through the ice, but if they do, it floats and can be paddled like a boat.
Three evolutions of this scenario were completed. The fire department would like to thank The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office and all of our members for making this a very successful practice for all.
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