Hanover Firefighters Get $10K in Ice Rescue Gear

Volunteer firefighters in Hanover Township, Indiana, spent a frigid Wednesday evening training on a frozen pond, preparing for a rescue they hope never comes.

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County, the department now has a Rapid Deployment Craft and five insulated rescue suits. The specialized gear protects both victims and rescuers during dangerous ice emergencies.

The timing couldn't be better. As temperatures plunge across the region, frozen lakes and ponds become tempting but treacherous. Traditional rescue attempts with canoes and paddles often end in tragedy.

"If you don't have access to stuff like this or the training for it, then you're out there with canoes and paddles, and it doesn't go well," said Cory Thomas, training officer and second assistant chief.

The statistics tell a sobering story. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that 60% of cold water incident victims are the would-be rescuers themselves. One person falling through ice quickly becomes three or four people needing help when unprepared neighbors rush in.

The new rescue craft changes that equation completely. It surrounds rescuers in an ultra-buoyant inflated perimeter that glides across ice, broken ice, and open water. If the ice fractures during a rescue, firefighters stay protected and afloat.

The insulated suits add another layer of safety, providing both warmth and flotation. Rescuers can move confidently across dangerous surfaces, knowing their gear will keep them safe while they help someone in distress.

The department invested in extensive training to match their new equipment. Firefighters watched instructional videos at the station before heading to Butler Falls Golf Course for hands-on practice in real conditions.

The Bright Side

Paul Taflinger, a Hanover firefighter, captured the bittersweet reality of emergency preparedness perfectly. "Prepare for the worst, pray for the best, and we spend a lot of money and a lot of time to be prepared, and we pray to the Lord above we never have to use it."

Thomas estimates they might face an ice rescue once every 20 years. But when that call comes, having the right equipment could mean the difference between a successful rescue and multiple tragedies.

The Community Foundation's investment does more than protect Hanover Township residents. It sets an example for rural fire departments across the country facing similar winter dangers with limited budgets.

These volunteer firefighters now have what they need to bring someone home safely.