Lethbridge rescuers on thin ice warn others to stay off

Lethbridge firefighters went for an icy dip on Wednesday as a part of their annual ice rescue training — and they're warning residents that despite ongoing freezing temperatures, ice within the city isn't considered safe. 

"We come out here with all of our gear, all of our equipment, our members — we don everything — and we try to simulate conditions as close to real time as we can," said Capt. Stan Colenutt, as icicles formed on his protective mustang survival suit. 

Roughly two dozen Lethbridge firefighters took turns wearing the bright yellow survival suits and plunging into the water through holes cut into the ice.

"We're going to simulate different phases of rescue, different types of rescues and different skills, as well as towing and rescue of different individuals," said Colenutt.

He said in the last few years, Lethbridge fire has seen an increased need for ice-rescues involving pets.

"Some people are under the assumption that we don't rescue dogs. We definitely rescue dogs, because if we don't we don't want the owners attempting to rescue them and then us having to come and rescue," he said.

"If you're out and something happens, you have a dog or a pet in a difficult situation involving ice and water, please call 911 and we will come."

Colenutt said the city considers ice thick enough to enjoy for skating, ice fishing and other activities when it's 30 centimetres thick.

The city's website currently lists conditions on local lakes as "poor" at only 24  and 25 centimetres thick.

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