By Jalen Maki

Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor

TOMAHAWK – An ice rescue training session with numerous local fire departments is slated to take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at Bradley Park, Tomahawk Fire Chief Brent “Beetle” Nyberg said.

Along with the Tomahawk Fire Department, the third annual training session will involve the departments from Nokomis, Little Rice, Cassian and Crescent.

Nyberg explained that the training taking place will be focused on rescue, not recovery. A hole will be cut in the ice, people wearing cold water rescue suits will jump into the water, and personnel will go through the methods of access and retrieval. The various types of equipment the departments have will also be utilized.

Nyberg noted that using other departments’ equipment is a very positive aspect of training together.

“My guys will get familiar with what (Nokomis Fire Department Chief Don Richert)’s got, and what Little Rice, Cassian and Crescent have. We’ll know what type of equipment’s coming (in the event of a rescue operation).”

Richert said that all of the departments being involved in training together ensures a cohesiveness during future collaborative rescue operations.

“Instead of just me working with my people, and Beetle working with his people, I work with his people and he works with mine, and you can get a better perspective on how people do things,” he stated.

“Everybody’s on the same page,” Nyberg added.