The Gananoque Fire Department is advising town residents that will be conducting ice and water rescue training on Saturday at the Gananoque Municipal Marina.
Firefighters will be seen on the ice wearing cold-water rescue suits and operating specialized equipment as part of ongoing efforts to ensure crews are prepared for winter emergencies on local waterways, officials said. They stressed this is a scheduled training exercise and there is no cause for concern.
Residents are encouraged to observe safely from a distance and support the crews as they practise critical life-saving skills.
Alongside the training announcement, the Leeds 1000 Islands Fire Services reported a busy stretch of emergency calls. Crews responded to two medical assistance calls, three motor vehicle collisions, one fire alarm activation and two possible gas leaks.
Fire officials remind residents to call 911 in the event of an emergency and to report suspected gas leaks immediately.
The department has also received new washer/extractors and gear dryers through the Ontario Fire Marshal Fire Protection Grant. This equipment helps reduce firefighters’ exposure to harmful contaminants by allowing protective gear to be properly decontaminated after calls. Officials say the upgrade is part of ongoing cancer-prevention efforts designed to safeguard the long-term health of local firefighters.