KAMSACK — Firefighters from various departments in the area recently took part in a comprehensive two-day ice safety course held March 22-23 at Madge Lake. Organized by ERFM Training & Supplies Ltd., a company based in Warman and owned by Chris Beblow, the training aimed to equip firefighters with the necessary skills for ice-water rescue scenarios.
Financial support for the training was generously provided by Affinity Credit Union, contributing $10,000, along with proceeds from 50/50 ticket sales. Special recognition was extended to individuals such as Ed Guenther for providing an ice auger and Ryan Belecki and the staff at Madge Lake for their invaluable assistance in facilitating the recreation hall and a spot near the lake for a practical training session.
Volunteer fire departments from Kamsack, Foam Lake, Wadena, and Invermay participated in the training, with a total of 16 firefighters trained over the two days.
The training commenced on March 22 with an introductory session led by Beblow. "My background is 20 years of search and rescue, primarily in rescue and recovery. So that goes anywhere from confined space to ice rescue to open water as well as high-end mobile and gold-powered rescue, and so on. My company also provides rescue services across the three Prairie Provinces," said Beblow.
Throughout the session, Beblow outlined key aspects of ice water rescue, including equipment usage, safety protocols, and rescue techniques. "'I'm hoping to try to keep it with what's in your local department. So if we talk about equipment that you guys don't have access to, it's not really worth your while. However, if you have questions about it, please ask. We brought a variety of equipment. "
On March 23, the practical component of the training took place at Madge Lake Marina. Equipped with Mustang Flotation Survival suits, participants took turns entering the icy water to practice self-rescue techniques and perform simulated rescues.
Overall, the Ice Safety course provided valuable training to firefighters, enhancing their readiness to respond to emergencies involving ice-related incidents. With the support of sponsors and collaborators, firefighters gained essential skills and knowledge to mitigate risks and conduct successful rescue operations in icy conditions.
If you are interested in being a volunteer firefighter, feel free to contact Fire Chief Ken Thompsen. The Kamsack Fire Department is always looking for more firefighters to join.
