Morris Leader

The Morris County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Unit (ESU) and the Morris Township Fire Department conducted an ice rescue training drill at Sunrise Lake in Lewis Morris County Park. The exercise aimed to enhance emergency preparedness and ensure first responders are equipped to save lives in critical situations.

"Morris County residents deserve the highest level of protection, and that means training under real-world conditions," stated Sheriff James M. Gannon. "It’s zero degrees, and we’re out here testing our specialized equipment and honing our skills because emergencies don’t wait for ideal circumstances. Our mission is to save lives, and today’s collaboration with the Morris Township Fire Department strengthens that commitment."

The training involved participants wearing cold-water rescue suits to simulate real-life scenarios by submerging themselves in the icy lake. Using advanced equipment, they practiced rapid deployment and victim extraction techniques.

"When someone falls through the ice, hypothermia can set in within minutes," said Sheriff Gannon. "Staying calm and preserving energy is critical for survival. But more importantly, we want to ensure our teams are ready to respond effectively and get victims to safety and medical care as quickly as possible."

Detective Sergeant James Rae led the ESU team during the exercise, which included cutting a hole in the ice with an 18-inch chainsaw before entering the frigid water.

"People are drawn to ice for activities like hockey or fishing, but the first freeze is especially dangerous," noted Sgt. Rae. "This training ensures we can deploy quickly and efficiently when accidents happen, using the equipment and skills we practice here."

Sgt. Rae emphasized calling 911 immediately during freezing weather incidents while maintaining visual contact with victims until help arrives.

The drill utilized resources from ESU-4, a vehicle equipped with life-saving gear acquired through a partnership with New Jersey Transit Police Department.

"Morris County is a wonderful place where approximately 515,000 people live, work, raise families, and have fun," said Sheriff Gannon. "We're committed to ensuring that residents can continue to have fun safely through training like this."

Chief Mike Nunn of the Morris Township Fire Department expressed pride in partnering with the Sheriff's ESU: "The Sheriff’s ESU is an incredible asset to our community, and working together strengthens our ability to respond to emergencies."

Participants included Corporal Ivan Bajceski of the Sheriff's ESU; Detective Lieutenant Robert Kranz of the Sheriff's Office Patrol Division; firefighters Melissa Alderton; Lieutenant Brendan McCloskey; Michael Wilson; Ed Duffy from Morris Township.

The Sheriff's ESU has been conducting similar drills under challenging conditions alongside local first responders.