(NECN: Mike Cronin) - Auburn, Mass. firefighters went through the frozen ice Tuesday, simulating a rescue of a trapped victim.
The annual training is conducted on a pond next to the Auburn Fire Department. Captain Glenn Johnson says firefighters want to get the victim pulled to safety within 10 minutes of arriving on scene.
"The most difficult part is getting the person from the water up on top of the ice," says Johnson.
While Auburn firefighters haven't had to make any recent rescues, Johnson says each lake and pond freezes differently, making the ice unpredictable.
"If you're not familiar with it, you may not know where the currents are and that's where it's going to freeze the least. And that's your most chance to fall through is wherever the current goes," says Johnson.
Officials say at least 4 inches of thick ice is needed to support activities such as snowmobiling and ice fishing.
