Water and Ice Rescue

Prince Edward County is a very popular year round tourist destination with many outdoor water and ice activities. For these reasons, the decision to expand the department’s emergency response into Ice Water Rescue was an obvious one.

In June of 2006, Council gave approval for a $90,000 grant from the Ontario Government’s Ontario Fire Service to be used towards the implementation of Ice Water Rescue.  This grant enabled the department to purchase 3 Fortuna Ice Rescue Boats, 15 Ice Commander water entry suits, 48 Force Six life jackets, thousands of feet of new rope along with countless other tools that would be required.

In 2007 the Fire Department developed and implemented a training program that would see 140 volunteers and 5 full time fire fighters all trained to respond.  The Ontario Fire College delivered the course in-house.  The first phase of this course was delivered in February 2007. 14 Volunteers, 2 from each of the 7 fire districts, and the 5 full time firefighters all trained in the Ice Rescue portion of the course.   

The final phase of the training was completed early in July in the County.

The 19 team members will take this training back to their respective halls and deliver this training to the rest of the members of their Districts.

Upon the successful completion of this final phase of learning, the 19 member team will continue to down load their skills and knowledge to the other members of the department which will see the Prince Edward County Fire Department trained and equipped to respond to any water and ice emergency.