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Ice Rescue Training

Friday, January 18, 2013

Video: Nighttime Rescue Drill on Lake Minnetonka

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and Excelsior Fire District conducted a training exercise on Carsons Bay last night that simulated the rescue of a snowmobiler who had fallen through the ice.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and Excelsior Fire District practiced a nighttime rescue operation on Carsons Bay Thursday night. The drill simulated a response to a snowmobiler who had fallen through the ice. Deputies used a hovercraft and special ice rescue boat to travel about a half mile from the public boat launch on Carsons Bay to the "accident site" just of the southern tip of Big Island. Many of those wetting lines in the dozens of ice houses along the route came out of their shacks to see what the lights and noise were all about, and deputies and firefighters talked with curious onlookers about the night's activities. There have been no deaths this season in Minnesota due to thin ice conditions, although fluctuating weather …

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Ice Rescue Training Planned for Tonight in Excelsior

Area rescue units will be in Excelsior tonight to conduct ice rescue training.

Expect an unusual level of activity tonight on Carsons Bay. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and Excelsior Fire District will be conducting ice rescue training on Lake Minnetonka. The drill will simulate a rescue of snowmobilers who break through ice and into the lake at night. First responders will practice with vehicles, equipment, and protective gear on the ice and in the water.  First responders will gather at the Deephaven Public Launch on Minnetonka Boulevard and Vine Hill Road, and the drill is expected to begin around 8 p.m. (Editor's note: the training was originally planned to take place on St. Albans Bay near the Excel Boat Club) Patch will be at tonight's training, so be sure to check back tomorrow for photos and a recap of…

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