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New Phila Fire Department conducts ice rescue training

| January 21, 2025

New Philadelphia firefighters conduct ice rescue training at the Tuscora Park lagoon. (New Philadelphia Fire Department)

NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Jan. 22, 2025) – City firefighters have been braving the cold to sharpen their skills.

The department hosted the first of three ice rescue trainings Tuesday at the Tuscora Park lagoon. Assistant Chief Matt Tharp says it’s something they work on whenever Mother Nature allows. 

“The trainings we did for the last couple of years and when we don’t get ice we just do here in the bay. We get suited up and go over the equipment and stuff but it’s hard to actually train on it without the ice in the water so we always take advantage when we can.”

Tharp says venturing out onto the ice is risky even experienced fishermen.   

“It’s just a very dangerous thing. If you’re going out there to fish or what have you is to make sure the ice is thick enough to support your weight and to always, always have a life preserver on in case you would go through. In my opinion, it’s best to go out there in groups of two so somebody would be there if you fall through to be able to call for help.”

As part of these trainings, firefighters have been learning what to do if they fall through the ice while trying to help someone else.

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