Sunday, February 28, 2021 members of the Putnam Valley Fire Department took advantage of the remaining ice at Carrara’s Beach in Lake Peekskill and trained on Ice/Cold water rescues. Although we fortunately do not get many incidents involving this type of rescue, we take every opportunity to train and maintain our proficiencies with these skills and techniques.

Typically most ice/cold water rescues happen either when the ice is newly formed or when temperatures begin to rise. Any water rescue during the winter season requires specialized training and as you can see in the pictures some fashionable suits.

It’s never safe for anyone to be out on ice less than 4” thick, this includes those ice fishing and skaters.Ice safety guides dictate at least 5” for snow mobiles. Here in town, the depth and integrity of the ice on our lakes is not measured, tested or posted so please do not venture out on the ice if you are not absolutely sure it is safe to do so.