Jackson firefighters try out new Ice Commander suits

JACKSON, Mo. -- Grown men in oversized, puffy yellow suits floated and flapped around in near-freezing water in the Rotary Lake at Jackson's City Park.

As a result, Jackson's firefighters shared a few laughs as they tested out their two new Ice Commander Rescue Suits on Wednesday.

Though the mood was light, the suits are designed for serious circumstances. Firefighters said they hope they never have to use them for their true purpose: to pull someone to safety after falling through ice.

The suits keep rescue personnel dry, warm and afloat no matter how cold the water.

As the firefighter enters the water, the suit pressurizes, making the person inside feel as if he were being given a blood-pressure test over his or her entire body. The suit is bulky and it's difficult to get anywhere quickly in the water, but having the suits is a comfort to the firefighters.

"Before, somebody would have to go in and get wet," said firefighter Steve Baugh, adding: "We're tickled to death to get these things."

The suits cost $1,000 each. They were paid for with a $2,000 donation received from the Jackson Wal-Mart. The department is planning to buy more.

"I'm not cold at all," said Capt. Stephen Grant after testing the equipment. "You can't even feel the water."

The fire department has had the suits for about a month and has used them once.

Jackson Fire Chief Brad Golden said a man crashed into a pond and got out safely, but Golden used a suit to help a tow truck retrieve the car from the water.

Grant, who has been involved with the fire department since 1987, hasn't been involved in an ice rescue. Rarely does it stay cold enough for a substantial body of water to freeze over, and Jackson doesn't have many ponds.

But the firefighters all agreed the new equipment is nice to have, just in case.

"One thing I'd like to emphasize at this time of the year is for parents to warn children and to make them understand that it's not safe to walk out on ice," Golden said.

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127