Three local fire department and rescue teams braved extremely windy and cold weather conditions Wednesday night to practice ice water rescue on Kangaroo Lake.  Twenty-four firefighters from Baileys Harbor, Ephraim, and Gibraltar Fire, and Rescue departments participated in the exercise as part of their Mid-Door monthly training.  Bailey’s Harbor Fire Chief Brian Zak shares the challenges faced when dealing with an ice water rescue.

Zak adds that planning for an ice water rescue takes great coordination and timing as crews wear heavy-duty diving equipment.  Fortunately,  the Mid-Door teams did not have to perform a water rescue last year but did have one two years ago on Kangaroo Lake, according to Zak.

(photo courtesy of Baileys Harbor Fire and Rescue)