RFD receives new ice rescue suits

Thanks to the generosity of the Rhinelander Lions Club and the Seventh Day Adventist Thrift Shop, members of the Rhinelander Fire Department will remain dry and toasty warm if they have to conduct an ice or cold water rescue this winter.

The two community organizations recently teamed up to purchase four new Mustang Ice Commander Rescue Suits for the Rhinelander Fire Department.

Each organization purchased two suits at a cost of $850 per suit.

Bob Berns of the Lions Club and Linda Campbell, representing the thrift shop, visited the fire department last Tuesday afternoon to meet the firefighters and see the suits.

Fire Chief Brian Tonnancour noted the department’s current ice/cold water rescue suits date back to 1991 and are no longer effective in keeping water out, making them uncomfortable to wear.

Firefighters Tanner Perry and Scott Rozmarynoski modeled the suits while all of the firefighters present offered personal thank yous.

The firefighters indicated the new suits will make a huge difference in the event they have to rescue someone trapped on the ice or in the water. 

The firefighters noted it is not uncommon for the department to be called out to rescue a dog that has made its way out onto an icy lake and can’t make its way back to shore.  Occasionally, a deer is also in need of rescue, they noted, explaining that the reason they rescue stranded deer is to ensure that a well-meaning person doesn’t put themselves in jeopardy trying to save an animal in distress.

Berns and Campbell stressed that their organizations were happy to lend a hand by purchasing the suits directly and then donating them to the department.

“It protects you guys and you’re going to be effective out there,” Campbell said. “I think this is the best thing we’ve ever put our money to,” she added.

Berns noted that the Rhinelander Lions Club sponsors the annual fisheree on Boom Lake every February and thus has an interest in ensuring the department is equipped to rescue a stranded ice angler or anyone else who happens to experience an emergency while recreating on a frozen lake.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].