Ice Safety

Today the several members of the Glen Lake Fire Department (GLFD) gathered at Fisher Lake in Glen Arbor for a co-operative training with the United States Coast Guard (USCG).  Together, the USCG and GLFD members trained on the latest ice rescue techniques to stay fresh should an emergency situation arise on one of the local lakes or waterways.  The USCG provides a great resource for our members as they specialize in water rescue situations while our members work in several different types of environments and handle many emergencies.  By training together GLFD members are able to maintain the skills necessary to perform a rescue in the event it is required.

Important things to remember about venturing out on to the ice:

• No ice is 100% safe.  Always be sure to check the ice for any signs of cracks or weakness even with the sustained cold we have had
• Dangers increase near inlets and outlets from the lakes.  In our area these include the flow between Little Glen and Big Glen, as well as anywhere along the Crystal river.
• Let family or friends know when you are going out on the ice and when you expect to be back

We at GLFD enjoy the outdoors as much as anyone else and are not trying to discourage winter activities like ice fishing, as it is something several of our members partake in, but we do want you to be safe out there and know we are ready in the event of an emergency both on and off the ice.