First responders train on ice

The cold temperatures provided a perfect opportunity for local emergency responders to train Tuesday. The Bonneville County Dive Team was at Gem Lake instructing local fire and police agencies on ice rescues.

Members of the Bonneville County Fire Department said it’s extremely important to get the experience, because when a call comes in, there is no time to waste.

“We need to be operating in a rescue capacity within the first hour,” said Scott Grimmett of the fire department. “Sometimes Bonneville Sheriff’s Office has to recall guys or bring equipment to the river. Where all our equipment is on our trucks and ready to go, we can pull it off and respond “

The ice at Gem Lake was about 25 inches thick, so crews said there was no danger of falling through Tuesday, but with warming temperatures, they expect an uptick in emergency calls.