WAUPACA, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — The Waupaca Fire Department held its 27th annual ice rescue demonstration and polar plunge on New Year’s Day.
There were 250 people who started their new year learning how to stay safe on the ice.
The event aimed to educate the community on what to do in the case that you fall through the ice, and funds were also raised for the fire department to purchase new rescue equipment. “Just try to stay off of ice that you may or may not know is safe,” Lt. Andy Wanty told WAOW-TV. “If you don’t know if it’s safe, don’t go on the ice.”
Rope throw, pole reach, sled rescue and self rescue were some of the rescue methods shown.
A polar plunge started right after the department finished with demonstrations, and many people voluntarily jumped in the cold water. It’s used by the fire department as a fundraiser to pay for rescue equipment.
The fire department is hoping that the demonstrations will save lives in the future.
