INFORMATION #1 01-23-1995
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MEMORANDUM
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TO:
Mayor and City Council
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FROM:
Bruce West, Fire Chief
DATE: January 13, 1995
SUBJECT: Ice and Water Rescue Equipment
One of the concerns that all fire departments have in the winter time in cold weather
climates, is the ability to rescue victims who have fallen through the ice and possibly only
have minutes to help themselves out of the ice. With hypothermia quickly impairing a
victims' ability to hold onto the ice, time is imperative for rescue of a disorientated victim
who has entered the water.
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After surveying what resources the Elk River Fire Department has to rescue someone who
has entered the water, the Fire Officers and I have decided to look into some equipment
called the Rescue Alive. Along with the Rescue Alive we have also looked into a suit
called a Cumby Suit which is a floating ice water rescue suit. With the purchase of both
the Cumby Suit and the Rescue Alive our fire department would be on the leading edge
with the ability to rescue a person who has fallen through the ice and get that person to
safety within minutes of entering the water. The Rescue Alive is a floatation pontoon type
device, that not only floats on the water, but also would skim across the ice with the one
person operating the equipment being tethered with rope back to the rescuers on shore.
The person on the Rescue Alive would be wearing one of the floating ice rescue suits as
well as one person on shore as a backup in case the first rescuer gets into trouble on the
Rescue Alive equipment.
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The cost of the two suits and the Rescue Alive equipment is $3505.00. The officers and I
have discussed this issue and at this time have decided to approach some of the non-profit
organizations in the City of Elk River. The history of the Fire Department and some of
the non-profit organizations has been very good in the City of Elk River. We have
received excellent support from both the Eagles and others for donations of equipment to
the Fire Department. Along this line, when I attended the Chamber of Commerce
luncheon in December, I met Scott Martin from the United Power Association. Scott
Martin and I have been acquainted for numerous years when Scott was City Manager at
the City of Champlin. Scott and I discussed the Fire Department equipment issues and
other related topics. Scott mentioned to me at the time, that if the Fire Department was
looking for any donations for equipment for the Fire Department that UPA would possibly
would be interested in donating money towards some minor equipment.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490. Elk River, MN 55330. (612) 441-7420. Fax: (612) 441-7425
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I discussed at the time at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon, the Rescue Alive and
floating ice rescue suits with Scott. He mentioned to me that United Power Association
would be willing to donate $1,000.00 towards our fund to purchase the Rescue Alive and
the two floating ice rescue suits.
We have a demonstration video that we will be showing to the organizations in the City of
Elk River and example of the piece of equipment that we are looking to purchase. If any
of the Councilmembers would like to view this video in reference to the Rescue Alive, we
do have a copy of the video at the Fire Station. If you would like to view this video you
can call me at 441-4919. I would be more that happy to show you the video and answer
and question or comments that you may have.
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to help themselves. Hypothermia quickly impairs a
victim's ability to hold onto the ice, it causes
violent shivering, clouds thinking which
results in a disorientated victim who is a
danger to rescuers.
All this happens within minutes of
entering the water. Imagine rescuers
transporting and placing a floating dock
right next to a victim n within seconds!
The benefits of RESCUE ALIVETM:
. The rescuer is able to run to victims
. The rescuer never enters the water during a rescue
. The rescuer slides victims from the water, never lifting
. The rescuer can quickly paddle through open water onto ice
· The rescuer works above the victim, from a position of control
. The victim is completely removed from the water and off the ice
. The rescuer can focus on the victim instead of struggling back to shore
. The unit weighs 85 Ibs. and floats more than 600 pounds
· The unit folds in half for convenient storage and transporting
The rescuer is able to reach a victim at a running pace without
entering the water. The rescuer leans on the guardrails to
distribute his weight to the 22 square foot pontoon surface.
Always working above the victim, the rescuer maintains
control by working on a stable platform. The rescuer never lifts
heavy weight, the victim harness secures around the victim
and slides on the guardrails to remove him from the water.
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Angel-GUARD Products, Inc.
70 James Street
Worcester, Massachusetts 01603
(800) 325-4832 FAX (508) 791-2206
RESCUE AlIVETlol is a trademark of Angel-GUARD Products. Inc. Worcester, MA
PATENTS AWARDED USA; CANADA
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Victims are suspended off the ice to avoid harmful dragging.
The rescuer is able to comfort the victim while being pulled to
shore.
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RESCUE ALlV8M
folds in half for compact
storage and transportation.
Storage demensions: 14" wide, 38.5" high, and 90" long
Deployed demensions: 66" wide, 30" high, and 90" long
Weight: 85Ibs.; flotation more than 6001bs.
$2,995 M.S.R.P.
Modified paddle and training video included
DEMONSTRATION VIDEO AVAILABLE