Fire crews train for ice rescues

Grand Junction fire crews are being dispatched to Canyon View Park.

They’re training for ice rescues by simulating situations that are far too common in Western Colorado.

The fire department does this training annually.  Crews say it's a fun day at work to come out and test what they've been learning, but it’s also critical for when the real call comes.

Firefighter Derek Trombetta says, "Doing these things allows us to get a bigger skill set so that when something does happen we are able to do that, we've seen it before, and we are a little bit more confident in our skills.”

Firefighter Gareth Parks has never been on an actual ice rescue. 

Still, he's confident that what he's learning from training will prepare him for when that day does come.

But for now he's the one being rescued.  He wears a special suit to keep warm.

"It’s kind of like a big old Gumby suit,” Parks explained. “It’s bulky but when you get out in the water it is what you need."

The fire department says if you happen to see trouble out on the ice call them right away.
"If you end up in the ice or in the water that's the worst thing that could happen, you only have a couple minutes,” Trombetta said. “Call 9-1-1. That's why we train and that's what we're here for."