Each year the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department as well as many other first responder agencies are called upon to rescue people through the ice. Each year we warn that "No Ice is Safe Ice" yet unknowing folks wander onto ice that they are unsure of or overconfident in the conditions of the ice.

This is why we train to rescue those victims and to keep ourselves safe when we have to go out onto the ice. As part of our training we periodically host Team Lifeguard Systems, Inc. which is a world renowned organization specializing in water and ice rescue that provides professional training internationally. Every few years we host the training and we invite participants from area police, EMS, DEC, and fire departments.

On Saturday 1/6/17 and Sunday 1/7/17 Team LGS Vice President Andrea Zaferes and instructor Brian Sheridan travelled to Saranac Lake during extremely poor weather conditions and provided training to members of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad, The Rouses Point Fire Department, and the Louisville Fire Department.

Day one Saturday was dry land training conducted at the Saranac Lake Fire House. This training included classroom instruction, equipment orientation, and dry land drills to prepare for day two. On Sunday training went live on Ampersand bay and rescuers took turns performing rescues and taking turns actually in the icy water posing as victims. Upon completion the students became certified at either operations or technician levels.

A special thank you to Julie Swanson, manager of the Ampersand Bay Resort for allowing us to train at their site. this was a last minute arrangement due to changes in the weather.

It is hard to overstate the professional level of training provided by Team LGS. We encourage you to click the link below and explore their website to learn more about this organization.

We have uploaded photos and video taken on day 2 for you to enjoy.

Please be very safe if you are going to wander out onto the ice. Every year we seem to be lucky enough to save a few, but unfortunately we also know that some do not make it. We do the best we can to keep folks in the area safe. Please do not become a statistic.