The Rockport Fire Department was immersed in a pond Thursday evening, Dec. 6, practicing cold water rescue skills. It is periodic training session for area fire departments, and Dec. 6 was Rockport’s time to climb into immersion gear and work in the water. 

This drill took place in the pond at Maine Sport, on Route 1, not far from the Rockport Fire Station. The pond, with a depth of 18 feet, is used regularly for classes with kayaks, canoes, fishing and other water sports, as well as ice hockey in the winter, and firefighter drills. 

As it happened, the volunteer firefighters were in the water when a mutual aid call came from neighboring Camden, citing a structure fire. That resulted in the firefighters quickly moving from immersion suits to turnout gear in record time, and reaching Camden in minutes.

All photos are courtesy of Royan Bartley, a volunteer with the Rockport Fire Department.