Cochrane Fire Services was running ice rescue drills on Monday at Fireside Pond as part of its regular training.
“The ice is at a critical time right now; the ice is so fluctuated in thickness,” said Inspector Jeff Avery of Cochrane Fire.
“Even on the shoreline it’s very easy to slip on some ice and slide underneath.”
As weather improves, Cochrane Fire is expecting more foot traffic in the area and they want to remind people in the area to keep off the ice.
“We’ve been seeing some balls and rocks on the ice, so we know some kids are down here by [the ice],” said Avery.
“We’re just trying to get the message out for everyone to stay off the ice.”
Cochrane Fire has posted several signs at the stormwater retention ponds around town warning of thin ice.
The training sessions allow Cochrane Fire to review and refine its ice rescue protocols.
The session that took place was the second of four – one for each platoon – that will take place throughout this week.
The first session occurred on Wednesday of last week.
Each platoon will conduct a practise ice rescue at a different stormwater retention ponds in town.
This training reoccurs annually as part of a recertification process.
