Despite bitter winter conditions, members of the Orillia Fire Department have been spotted across the frozen surface of local waterways, dragging ropes, deploying rescue equipment, and deliberately placing themselves into the same conditions they would face during a real emergency.
Fire Chief Chris Ferry says ice training is essential for his crew.
“Every year our firefighters have to go out on the ice and re-certify their training for ice and water rescue,” Ferry said. “We do some theory in the classroom, but that type of rescue is really hands-on. You really have to train in the environment you’re going to work in.”
Ice rescues are among the most dangerous calls firefighters can respond to, not only for victims, but for rescuers themselves. Ferry said emergencies can escalate rapidly once someone breaks through the ice.
“If somebody goes through the ice, there’s what’s called the one-ten-one rule,” he said. “You have one minute to catch your breath and collect your thoughts because it’s a shock to your system. Then you have about ten minutes of meaningful movement to try to self-rescue before your body starts to shut down from the cold.”
If self-rescue fails, Ferry said survival time can still be limited.
“Depending on body type and size, you could have up to about an hour to hang on to the ice shelf,” he said. “It can get serious pretty quickly, and that’s why our firefighters train to get out there as fast as possible.”
Despite how solid ice may appear from shore, Ferry said dangerous assumptions are one of the biggest risks during winter.
“People see ice and assume it’s safe, but you really have to know what’s underneath it,” he said. “Current plays a big role. If there’s water moving underneath, it can eat away at the bottom of the ice.”
Other factors include snow cover, which can insulate ice and prevent it from thickening, as well as objects beneath the surface, such as rocks, logs, or old pilings that absorb heat and weaken the ice, particularly as temperatures fluctuate later in the season.
Locally, Ferry said certain areas of Lake Couchiching and surrounding waterways require extra caution.
“The Narrows is a concern for us because of the current,” he said. “At the north end of Lake Couchiching, Parks Canada has water control dams, and when they’re open, the ice weakens and leaves that area first.”
He said the Trent-Severn system can also develop weak spots due to the movement of the water.
While the department has responded to calls this winter where people were believed to be in distress, Ferry said no ice rescues have been required so far this season.
“We’ve been to a couple where someone called from shore thinking people were in trouble, but nobody actually was,” he said.
When an ice rescue does occur, firefighter safety remains a top priority. Crews wear Mustang Ice Commander suits designed to keep them buoyant, warm, and dry, with only their faces exposed to the elements.
Firefighters are also tethered with rescue ropes and may deploy inflatable rescue rafts to reach victims farther from shore.
Decision making during a rescue depends heavily on conditions. Ferry said if a victim is submerged, the response shifts to specialized OPP dive teams. In situations involving swift or dangerous currents, firefighters will avoid entering the water and instead operate from boats or rescue rafts.
Communication and coordination are critical throughout any operation. A designated incident commander remains on shore to monitor hazards and direct the response, while firefighters on the ice or in the water stay in contact using waterproof radios.
Ferry said the department’s confidence comes from constant preparation.
“Today, our firefighters are fully equipped for any ice and water rescue,” he said. “They train throughout the year in the winter for ice rescue and in the summer for water rescues off the fireboat. We follow training standards from the Ontario Fire College and NFPA certification, and we’re constantly training, preparing, and checking our equipment every week to make sure we’re ready to respond whenever we’re needed.”
He encouraged residents to take precautions before heading onto frozen waterways.
“Check the ice as you go, stay on marked trails, and talk to locals who know the conditions,” Ferry said.
While firefighters will respond in any weather when an emergency call comes in, Ferry said prevention remains the most effective form of ice safety.