Immersion

One of the many duties performed by the Hawkesbury Fire Department is the rescue of unfortunates who fall through thin ice. This "victim" voluntarily broke through the ice of the Ottawa River and waited for his colleagues to rescue him during a drill on a warm Sunday morning in early March. Often, firefighters are called upon to save people who run out onto the thin ice to bring their pets back to shore and to reel in anglers who literally get wet feet when they retrieve ice-fishing huts. Ice rescues -- just another sign that spring is just around the corner.