Firefighters on Ice

Department of Defense | Jan. 18, 2023

By Press Operations

Being a firefighter anywhere requires a cool head. In Alaska, it sometimes calls for one that is ice-cold.   

 

Fire protection specialists assigned to the Air Force's  673rd Civil Engineer Squadron headed to frigid Six Mile Lake at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson recently for ice rescue training. They tested their skills in a series of scenarios designed to mimic real-world rescues.

Two firefighters in yellow dry suits standing on snow toss a line to a third one chest-deep in icy waters.
Tossing a Line Air Force fire protection specialists assigned to the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron conduct ice rescue training at Six Mile Lake at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023.

Photo By:Air Force Senior Airman Patrick Sullivan
Two service members are shown close up while floating in icy water.
Icy Rescue Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Jenkins pulls a fellow airman out of the water during ice rescue training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023.

Photo By:Air Force Senior Airman Patrick Sullivan
Firefighters in a yellow raft approach a firefighter lying in a lake as others stand on snowy shore.
Cold Water Warriors Air Force fire protection specialists assigned to the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron use an inflatable raft to rescue a simulated victim in Six Mile Lake during training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023.

Photo By:Alejandro Pena, Air Force

The training followed a classroom course. Once the firefighters qualified in the skills needed to conduct ice rescue and recovery efforts in extreme cold-weather environments, they received certifications as ice rescue technicians.

 

Air Force fire protection specialists assigned to the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron carry rescue equipment for ice rescue training at Six Mile Lake at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023. The firefighters tested their skills in a series of scenarios designed to simulate real-world rescues, and received certifications as ice rescue technicians after having qualified in the skills needed to conduct rescue and recovery operations in extreme cold-weather environments.

Air Force fire protection specialists conduct ice rescue training at Six Mile Lake on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023. After completing a classroom course, the firefighters took to the ice to test their skills in a series of scenarios designed to simulate real-world rescues.

Air Force fire protection specialists assigned to the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron conduct ice rescue training at Six Mile Lake at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023.

Air Force fire protection specialists assigned to the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron conduct ice rescue training at Six Mile Lake at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023.

Air Force fire protection specialists conduct ice rescue training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023.

Steve White, a firefighter assigned to the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron, role-plays as a cold-water casualty during ice rescue training at Six Mile Lake at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023.

Air Force fire protection specialists assigned to the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron use an inflatable raft to rescue a simulated victim during ice rescue training at Six Mile Lake at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023. After completing a classroom course, the firefighters took to the ice to test their skills in a series of scenarios designed to simulate real-world rescues.

Air Force fire protection specialists assigned to the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron use an inflatable raft to rescue a simulated victim in Six Mile Lake at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023.

Air Force fire protection specialists assigned to the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron conduct ice rescue training at Six Mile Lake at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023.

Air Force fire protection specialists assigned to the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron conduct ice rescue training at Six Mile Lake at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Austin Conner, a fire protection specialist assigned to the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron, prepares to rescue fellow firefighters during ice rescue training at Six Mile Lake at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Nicholas Frank and Staff Sgt. Joseph Jenkins participate in ice rescue training at Six Mile Lake at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023. After completing a classroom course, the firefighters took to the ice to test their skills in a series of scenarios designed to simulate real-world rescues.

Air Force firefighters assigned to the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron pause for a group photograph after completing ice rescue training at Six Mile Lake at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 8, 2023.
 

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