A group of firefighters in Fishkill spent four hours on Saturday training to save lives in Ice Water Emergencies. Our Venise Toussaint was there and tells us some of those brave men have already put their skills to the test.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

FISHKILL, N.Y. -- A firefighter is stranded in the Fishkill Creek clinging to the foot of a bridge to stay afloat. moments later his colleagues jump onto a life boat and paddle across to save him. Fortunately, this scene is just for practice.

“it is good to go out there and train for these situations,” said Assistant Glenham Fire Chief, Eric Nicholson.

About 30 firefighters from four agencies attended the Ice Water Rescue training in Fishkill on Saturday. During the training they learned about operating procedures, equipment and patient handling while in the classroom; then they hit the creek to put their knowledge to the test.

"The first part is firefighter safety foremost is making sure that the people are doing what they’re supposed to do that they’re wearing the suits properly and having some accountability for not only themselves but the membership that’s out in the water,” said instructor Craig Elderkin.

The annual training prepares firefighters to help save lives during ice water emergencies and proved very beneficial for Rombout Firefighter Kenny Schirmer. Just one week after training three years ago, he helped save the lives of a father and daughter drowning a reservoir.

“We pulled them out successfully with the training that I do with the fire department it helped me out tenfold,” Schimer said.

Firefighters say although the winter's been mild with very few frozen ponds, people should never underestimate how cold or dangerous taking a plunge could be.