Friday, February 22, 2008 6:47 PM CST
Neoga fire personnel train in cold water and ice rescue
By the JG/T-C
editorial@jg-tc.com
NEOGA — Several volunteer firefighters and some local law enforcement took part in “cold water and ice” rescue training at Lake Mattoon on Feb. 2.
Lt. Lloyd Galey of the Champaign Fire Department conducted the training, along with the help of Neoga Fire Department Assistant Chief Bill Albin, a volunteer in Neoga’s department, and a full-time firefighter in Champaign.
Albin said the conditions that day were perfect for training because the lake was frozen in parts, but one could easily break through, too.
He credited fellow volunteer firefighter Tom Helm, another assistant chief, for pursuing the purchases of the suits and equipment.
Recent fundraiser breakfast and matching funds through Modern Woodmen Insurance helped the department purchase two cold water and ice rescue suits. The two suits and equipment cost $1,130, Helm said.
Equipment included two Coast Guard approved life jackets, two 150-foot floating ropes with quick hook-ups.
Helm said the suits have built in boots, gloves, kneepads and hoods. The body is completely sealed from the icy water, except for the face. The suits make the person very buoyant and can sustain floating up to 500 pounds, making rescuing a person much safer than without the suit.
The suits originally were designed to protect personnel aboard ships in the Arctic Sea, Albin said.
They have been slightly modified to work for fire rescue personnel.
“This equipment makes it helpful in case someone should fall through ice,” Albin said. “We had no safety means to rescue them and waiting on a dive team could be too time consuming.”
Firefighters would begin putting on the gear in the truck and could be able to enter the water within one to two minutes of arriving at the scene.
Those volunteer firefighters taking part in the training were Tom Helm, Brandon Helm, Bill Albin, Tim Mueller, Ken Figgins, Bruce Drennan, Alan Baker, Matt Cummings, Paul Schabbing and Nicole Stewart.
Neoga Police officer Marlon Williams and Jerry Weber of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department also participated in the classroom portion of the training.
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