Rick Dirr, Nederland. Nederland Fire Department members train for ice rescue every year, hoping we never have to use that training. 

We have had multiple calls where we did need this specialized training. The most significant was a vehicle that had driven into Barker reservoir during winter. We used the suits to search for the victim, who was later found on the opposite shore deceased.

One of our best successes was a German Shepard that had fallen into Mud Lake in spring. Rescue personnel had to hammer first through two inches of rotten ice to get to the dog. His back legs were in the water, but front legs were on an ice shelf. He growled as I approached, and I very carefully lifted his back feet onto the ice shelf. He made a bee line for shore. After that rescue we added lacrosse helmets and dog catcher poles to keep us from getting bit in the face. 

We have not had to do any true human ice rescues but have used the suits to perform other attempted rescues, including several drownings in Barker Reservoir, and to recover suicide victims.

Chief Dirr has been the Chief of the Nederland Fire Protection District since late 1999. He was the last volunteer Chief, elected by popular vote, and became the first compensated Fire Chief hired by the District Board of Directors. Dirr joined the department in 1990 and served as a volunteer for 10 years prior to being hired.  

(Originally published in the January 28, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)