January 4, 2023
As part of training requirements, firefighters from Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) will be taking to the North Saskatchewan River near Rundle Park to complete winter swift water rescue training.
The training over the next couple of weeks will ensure firefighters maintain the competencies needed for winter swift water rescue operations which are among the highest risk activities for fire rescue personnel.
“Appropriate training and deployment are critical to ensuring the safety of our firefighters and the public,” notes Fire Chief Joe Zatlyny. “That means our crews have to train in the conditions we operate in and that includes cold winter days, which makes such operations extra challenging and increases the importance of this type of training.”
Currently 19 of Edmonton’s 30 fire stations provide water rescue services across the city. Eight of the 19 have a contingent of staff trained for, and dedicated to, Swift Water response on the North Saskatchewan River and other flowing bodies of water. All 19 have qualified staff equipped to respond to lakes, stormwater ponds and other non-flowing bodies of water.
Between January 3 and 20, 2023, upwards of 30 fire personnel at a time will be involved in the training on the river. If you see a group of firefighters training, please give them the space to do their work. Ice shelves and river banks are dangerous and should be avoided. If anyone wishes to take photos, please do so from a safe distance on solid land.
Management of resources ensures fire response times will not be impacted.
The thickness of ice can be deceiving. If you see someone (or a pet) fall through the ice, call 9-1-1 immediately. Then:
- Establish and maintain a point of reference where the individual (or pet) was last seen.
- Never attempt to rescue an individual (or pet) that has fallen through the ice.
- Once everyone is out of immediate danger, please report any incidents or close calls to 311.
