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Indian Lake Deer Rescue

While emergency ice rescues aren’t frequent, when they do happen, it’s life or death even for first responders.

That’s what experts in Somerset County are saying after a rescue Yesterday Afternoon.

Baylee Wojcik spoke with them and tells us why they say it’s important to stay prepared.

After a deer was rescued from an icy lake by the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department Yesterday, emergency officials remind us of the year round hard work it takes to train for these situations.

“It is kind of life or death out on that ice. If you don’t know what you’re doing, it can be a tragedy waiting to happen.”

That’s what Somerset County Safety Officials are saying in the aftermath of a heroic Sunday Afternoon rescue.

Brianna Alianiello with the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department says that her team saved a small deer stuck on the ice at Indian Lake that day.

She says that while the rescue was a success, it wasn’t easy.

“We used our ice sled to maneuver the water. It was very thin though, so very challenging to get out to.”

She says that the situation was her first experience with an ice rescue, as they’re very uncommon in the Somerset County Area. So, how do local teams know what to do when there’s an emergency?

“It all comes down to training.”

That’s Scott Grahn with the Somerset County Swift Water Rescue Team, who says he works with local departments to prepare for these exact situations, and not just animal rescues.

In fact, he says that his team employs a different type of “animal rescue” when someone falls through the ice.

“This is Ellie. we would send Ellie out onto the ice and we would literally tether her as well as have her backup which would be one of us.”

“She’ll lay down beside the person, whether they’re on top of the ice or down in the ice, as long as they’re able to grab a hold of the device. They’ll take it from her, put it around them.”

Joel Landis with the Somerset County Emergency Management Agency says that even Ellie participates in monthly trainings, which save lives each year.

“Low calls, but high risk situations is what they train for.”

“So with that training, we’re looking at situations that occur across the nation and be able to build upon their experiences so we know how to adequately respond to scenarios just like that.”

Officials say to always remember that if you see something, say something. If you’re interested in volunteering with a rescue team, contact your local emergency management agency.

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