The New Year started with new possibilities for saving lives. The San Bernardino County Fire Department tested out new Ice Rescue equipment in a training event at Jackson Lake near Wrightwood on Jan. 7, 8, and 9. On the final day of training, County Fire invited other emergency response agencies including neighboring Los Angeles County to participate with them to become familiar with the equipment.

Over the years, people falling through the ice at Jackson Lake have resulted in fatalities including a Victorville man, who perished last year after attempting to save some children who fell through. The Ice Rescue equipment (four ice rescue suits, and a reaching pole system) was made possible by a donation from the Timberline Lions Club in Wrightwood. The drill was geared toward improving the region’s Ice Rescue abilities and to familiarize local emergency departments with the new equipment. This press event is intended to not only showcase the Fire Department’s new equipment but also to publicize the dangers of lake ice and the hazards of snowplay near bodies of water. Although the lake is located in Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County Fire Station 101 in Wrightwood is the first to respond because of its proximity to the lake. This new Ice Rescue Equipment could mean the difference between a successful rescue and a fatal accident.
 

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