Date: March 4 & 5, 2023
Location: Woodstock Fire Department (classroom) and the practical location is at the Cox District Road Reservoir or within 45 minutes of Woodstock (to be determined by the ice conditions)
Time: 0800 - 1700 both days
Application Deadline: 0800 on February 17, 2023
Pre-requisites: Students must be provide their own equipment and be 18 years or older. See below for equipment needs.
Please email applications to: dps.vfaapplications@vermont.gov
Ice Rescue Technician: 16 Hours
This course will provide the cognitive and practical knowledge to respond to rescues in ice and cold-water environments. The course will consist of four hours of classroom training and twelve hours of practical training. All students will learn shore based rescue skills and perform on-ice / in-water rescues.
Equipment Requirements – Not provided by the Vermont Fire Academy
- Ice Rescue Suit (Dry suits are not recommended for this training event)
- Appropriate thermal garments
- Helmet (dependent on suit style)
- Whistle
- Ice Picks
- Type 5 Personal Flotation Device
What else you should bring:
- Change of clothes
- Poly/Wool insulation layers
- Water bottle
- Snacks/Lunch
Environment and weather
Training will primarily occur in the field which will be outside in whatever kind of weather we are experiencing. Heavy downpours and/or lightning will stop the training event and may lead to postponement.
Topics Covered
- Support procedures, equipment, communications
- Ice and water conditions, characteristics and hazards (hydrology)
- Hypothermia, entrapment potential, survival techniques, drowning
- Victim behavior and rescuer safety
- Personal protective equipment, rope handling
- Hazard identification, retrieval locations
- Policies, procedures, and information sources
- Swim aids and techniques
- PPE and equipment overview
- Self – rescue
- Shore based rescue
- Reach
- Throw
- Rescue Alive Sled
- Go Rescue
- Scenarios