Bloomingdale firefighters executed a double ice rescue on February 26, 2013 on Lake Iosco in the Boro of Bloomingdale, after two ice fishermen fell thru the ice just before noon.

Firefighters were alerted at 12:09 after police received a 911 call stating that someone had fallen thru the ice on Lake Iosco from a resident who lives on the south end of the lake by the dam.

First due Ladder 664 and second due Squad 663 where able to put two members in ice rescue suits on the ice upon arrival. At that time they learned that there may be a second victim. A second ice rescue team from the Pompton Lakes FD was requested by the Incident Commander, 1^st Deputy Chief Mark Lime. Two medi-vac helicopters were requested by Triboro FAS.

Upon reaching the victim, FF’s Mike Wanklin and Mike D’Amato found the victim to be semi-conscious. Both firefighters entered the water with the victim, keeping him afloat, preventing him from going under until Captain Chris Neuberger, FF/EMT Jason Hammaker, and FF/EMT Edward Ball arrived with the ice rescue kayak. The victim was then loaded into the ice rescue kayak and indicated that there was a second victim in the water..

About this same time FF/EMT Hammaker who entered the water while loading the first victim, now came in contact with the second victim and brought him to the surface. The crew was now joined by a 6^th member FF Steven Shattls. The kayak was brought back to the site, and the second victim was loaded into the kayak.

BFD members working on the shore, lead by Capt Eric Tuason included: FF William Pomeroy, FF Kathleen Wanklin, FF Robert Shoemaker, FI Robert Westdyk, Ex-Chief Peter Croop, Ex-Chief William Sondermeyer Sr., FP James Ferris, and FP Thomas Boud

The first victim was medi-vaced to Hackensack Hospital Trauma Center where he was treated for severe hypothermia and release two days later.

The second victim was turned over to Triboro FAS and ALS paramedics from Chilton Memorial Hospital. He was transported to Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pequannock where he died.

More details can be found on the Tri Boro Patch:

http://triboro.patch.com/search/articles?cat=1998198826&month=February+2013