Imagine jumping into a pond covered with ice in the middle of winter. That's what paid and volunteer firefighters did in Brookfield for life-saving training.

The firefighters were seen in action practicing this training that could potentially save lives.

Firefighters from the Vienna, Burghill Vernon and Orangeville departments joined Brookfield Township to learn how to help someone who fell through ice.

While there was no certain event in the township that led to the training, rescuing people and animals from ice is not uncommon for first responders.

“It does happen frequently that animals fall through the ice. And oftentimes what happens when animals fall through the ice is somebody will try to go out and save them, and fall through the ice themselves,” said Scott Simmons, commander of the Portage County Water Rescue Team. “I think the public doesn’t realize that if the ice is thin enough that an animal has fallen through or broken through, it’s definitely going to be thin enough for them to fall through as well. And then become a victim themselves.”

Firefighters were taught three methods that can be used when saving someone who fell through ice. After suiting up, firefighters took turns pushing eachother to safety.

Simmons said, in most cases, firefighters will need to be in the water to help the victim.

“When I get there, they're probably not going to be strong enough to hold onto a pole or a rope, and I have to actually go into the water and that's the go method,” said Simmons.

Brian Stanley, Brookfield township firefighter and parametic, helped set up the training. He said it’s absolutely necessary, especially with the amount of water you can find near Brookfield township.

“There's a couple of trailer parks that we have some ponds in and there's you know, with Hartford there's some large ponds there, and then we also have the Shenango River,” said Stanley. “We just never know what type of call we're going to get, and with Brookfield being an all hazards department, fire, EMS, we just never know what we're going to handle.”

Stanley spent a few months putting this training together, and asked Simmons to teach the firefighters. He feels going through this training will create confidence when responding to these types of rescues.

“Getting in the suit, getting into the water is a completely different feeling. So, it's nice to have that training because now I know if something were to come up and I'm on shift, I can react to that,” said Stanley.

Simmons is asking anyone who sees an animal or person fall through ice to ask for help.

“Please remember to call 911 if there is an animal or person through the ice. Please don’t go out and try to save them yourselves because you can become a victim. And that’s what the fire departments are here for,” said Simmons.