Sheriff's Office trains for ice rescue

Following the December tragedy at Keyhole Reservoir, a recent training session gave Crook County Sheriff's Office the opportunity to test out the Argo first responder UTV under the varying circumstances that might occur during an ice rescue.

The primary purpose of the training, says Sheriff Jeff Hodge, was to prepare and train for different types of ice rescue operations – and to ensure that a rescue can be completed safely.

This was done by pushing the limitations of the Argo and other equipment, with the goal of ensuring that rescuers can respond safely to an emergency at Keyhole or another body of water that requires a rescue or recovery response and involves a mixture of conditions, from poor ice to open water.

In attendance at the training were deputies from the Sheriff's Office along with members of Weston County Search & Rescue. The latter group was there in order to certify one of their people in ice rescue and also to observe and assist with the testing of the equipment.

"Crook County Sheriff's Office along with volunteers from Weston County will also be providing yearly training for ice rescue soon," says Sheriff Jeff Hodge.

"We are also looking at resources to try and upgrade and replace some of the older ice rescue suits that we have in our inventory. We currently have four suits at the Sheriff's Office and two of the suits are outdated and need replaced."

Two suits are stationed in Sundance to be available should an emergency occur at Sundance Pond. The other two have in the past been stationed at Keyhole State Park. 

"It is my understanding that Keyhole State Park and the Pine Haven Fire Department are also purchasing ice rescue suits and attending training for responses to incidents involving Keyhole," Hodge says.