Ice Rescue (person on the surface of the ice or body of water): Which crew composition is required?

• A. 1 Dive, 1 Engine or Aerial, 1 Medic, 1 Battalion, 1 Safety
• B. 2 Dive, 1 Engine or Aerial, 1 Medic, 1 Battalion, 1 Safety
• C. 1 Dive, 1 Engine or Aerial, 1 Medic, 1 Battalion
• D. 1 Dive, 1 Engine or Aerial, 1 Medic, 1 Safety

Answer: (A)

Ice rescue needs a balanced crew that covers the actual rescue task, equipment support, medical care, leadership, and safety oversight. A diver is essential to perform the water/ice extraction and assist the person on the surface, while an Engine or Aerial provides the necessary platform, tools, and manpower to reach the victim and manage equipment. A Medic is crucial to treat cold exposure, immersion injuries, and any other medical needs on scene. A Battalion Chief or equivalent supervisor establishes incident command, coordinates resources, and maintains clear communications and accountability. A Safety Officer continuously assesses ice conditions, PPE, approach and extraction plans, and stops unsafe actions as needed.

Removing any of these roles can compromise the operation: without a Safety Officer hazards aren’t properly monitored; without command presence, the response can lack coordination; without medical staff, injuries may not be managed promptly; without adequate equipment support, access and resupply can bottleneck; without a diver, the actual rescue cannot be completed efficiently. The combination of one diver, an Engine or Aerial, a Medic, a Battalion Chief, and a Safety Officer provides the minimum, well-rounded coverage needed for a safe and effective ice rescue.