KSHB 41 reporter Olivia Acree covers portions of Johnson County, Kansas. Share your story idea with Olivia.
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In the winter months, signs warning against walking or skating on ice are common around lakes and creeks in the Kansas City metro.
However, the Olathe Fire Department still trains for ice rescues every year — preparing for the worst-case scenario.
"We don’t have anybody else to call. We have to solve whatever problem arises," said Capt. Matt Essex, Olathe Fire Department.
Ice conditions in Kansas are unpredictable, so Essex said this makes each rescue unique.
"The conditions are different every time, so you can’t prepare for everything. You have to adjust on the fly,” Essex said.
Every year, the department comes out to practice ice and water rescues. They know to expect the unexpected.
Firefighters were practicing challenging conditions on Sunday with heavy snow on the ice and limited visibility.
For the drill, there's a firefighter playing a victim, a rescuer who gets them from the water, and a haul team to pull the victim and rescuer to safety.
"It takes a lot of manpower to get them off the ice," Essex said. “Their footing is bad, and they can't really see.”
Rescuers work quickly, battling not only the ice but also the freezing cold water temperatures. During the drill, the water was between 32-50 degrees.
“Athletes who get in an ice bath, that water temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees,” Essex said.
Olathe firefighters have responded to ice rescues involving people, vehicles and pets; pets and wildlife are common ice rescue calls.
Whatever it is, OFD responds to them all. Essex said the goal is simple: prevent rescuers from becoming victims themselves.
"That’s just the nature of the fire service,” Essex said.
