Alumni Moonshiner online

Willsboro, NY                     January 21, 2007                      since 1905

Fire Departments Train at Camp

Pok-O-Moonshine's Senior Section hosted members of the local volunteer fire departments and ambulance squads today for cold water rescue training.  With the warm winter, the normal training location, Willsboro Bay, had not yet frozen over.  Sharp Swan graciously allowed the use of camp grounds for the training.

Willsboro Volunteer Fire Department organized the event with Keesville and Essex departments and a ranger from the NYS Forest Service in attendance. Waterfront director Shai Walker and PMOEC director David Durant, both firefighter/EMTs with Willsboro also participated.  The rescuers and "victims" wore special cold water rescue suits to protect them from the extreme temperatures on and under the ice. Special sleds and hand held ice picks were used to extract the victims from precut holes while teams of firefighters pulled victims and rescuers alike to safety.  To complete the experience, some rescuers submerged themselves under the ice for a few seconds to fully understand what victims experience.  Even with the dry suits it is a scary experience.  "That was one of the most terrifying experiences of my entire life," said David Durant.  "The cold water knocks the wind right out of you."  He added, gasping for breath.

"Once Long Pond has frozen over it serves as one of the Outdoor Education Center's most unique classrooms.  Students from Quebec, New York, and further afield venture out onto the ice to fish, ski, and study Winter Ecology.  As director of the Center I am much more comfortable scheduling those classes knowing that our local Fire Department and Rescue squad have the equipment, expertise, and willingness required to make a rescue should anything ever go wrong out there on the ice."

We at Pok-O are very pleased that we can aid the volunteers of our local fire departments in their training. They are a vital part of our community and have come to our aid for minor incidents in the past.  We thank them and will continue to support them however we can.