Edmonton firefighters taking part in winter water rescue training

Edmonton firefighters are training for the unexpected – by plunging into frigid waters.

Fire crews will spend the next few weeks plunging into the North Saskatchewan River for winter water rescue training.

“The importance of training for us is to ensure the competencies within our workforce. This is an expected area of response for fire rescue in the wintertime,” said Chief Bruce McWhinnie with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services special operations.

“In the event that someone ends up in the water, we have the skills, equipment and tools necessary to facilitate a successful rescue.”

Training will take place from Jan. 3-20, with roughly 30 firefighters involved in the on-river training.

Edmonton firefighters taking part in winter water rescue training on the North Saskatchewan River on Jan. 4, 2023. (Credit: CityNews/Laura Krause)

More than half of Edmonton’s fire stations – 19 of 30 – provide water rescue services across the city.

Eight of those 19 have a contingent of staff trained for rescues on flowing bodies of water like the North Saskatchewan River.

All 19 have staff equipped to respond to lakes, stormwater ponds and other non-flowing bodies.

Decrease in water rescues last year

Water rescues dropped from 2021 to 2022.

There were 146 water rescues in 2021, and 85 the following year.

Of the 85 events in 2022, 24 occurred between January and March, and three occurred in November and December.

Fire officials repeatedly urge everyone to avoid walking on ice shelves and the riverbank as they can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Edmonton firefighters taking part in winter water rescue training on the North Saskatchewan River on Jan. 4, 2023. (Credit: CityNews/Laura Krause)