It looks simply like a long yellow, banana shaped inflatable dingy that the North Bay Fire Department says is making ice water rescues an easier process.
“The old system was trustworthy but a little bit more difficult to operate and a little bit less predictable,” stated First Class Firefighter Michael Bartolucci.
“This unit is incredibly stable, incredibly predictable, and incredibly fast.”
The new equipment has been put into good use this past winter and even was utilized on Monday during an ice water rescue on the Lavase river.
See that story HERE
“It’s very, very efficient,” said Bartolucci about the new equipment.
“It deploys exceptionally quickly, takes up much less room on our trailers which leaves more room for safety equipment for us. it’s a lot easier to use for the operator. With our big survival suits, it’s a lot more user friendly. It’s a lot safer for the patient and it’s an all around better machine for us.”
Despite the cooler, winter like weather conditions today, Bartolucci is speaking for recent experience when he says anyone and everyone should stay off the ice.
“The weather is warming up, the conditions are deteriorating very rapidly, a lot of slush on the lake and with all that water it becomes added weight on the ice. And with that it adds to the instability on the ice so it’s not my place to say but I would absolutely recommend everyone stay off frozen waterways, frozen lakes, anything with ice, stay off it. You are asking for trouble,” said Bartolucci.
