Ice Rescue International Train-the-Trainer Academy

Ice Rescue Instructor candidates prepare to extricate a victim off an ice shelf

The Ice Rescue International Train-the-Trainer Academy is an intensive and comprehensive 3.5 day training program designed to train and authorize designated and agency-approved representatives from Fire, Rescue, EMS, and Law Enforcement agencies as Ice Rescue Instructors. Note: Lifesaving Resources' Ice Rescue training programs meet and exceed NFPA 1670 Standard for Technical Rescue.

Tuition includes books and materials, meals (Friday breakfast through Sunday lunch), lodging (Thursday through Sunday). Lodging will be at the new Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Keene, New Hampshire. Classroom and practical sessions will be conducted at the Lifesaving Resources' Water & Ice Rescue Training Center in historic Harrisville, New Hampshire.

Pre-Requisite: 

Ice Rescue Instructor candidates must:

  1. be a minimum of 21 years of age
  2. be in good physical condition
  3. be an active member of a Fire, Rescue, EMS, or Law Enforcement agency
  4. be designated and approved to participate in this training by their department/agency chief or training officer
  5. be comfortable in deep water while wearing a Cold Water/Ice Rescue Suit
  6. be capable of crawling on the ice, propelling oneself through the water while at the surface, and self-extricating oneself out of the water and onto the ice shelf
Required Equipment: 

Ice Rescue Instructor candidates must have:

  1. a Cold Water/Ice Rescue Suit for use during the weekend training program
  2. a set of Ice Awls/Picks for use during the weekend training program
Agreement: 

As an authorized Instructor of Lifesaving Resources' Ice Rescue Courses, the Instructor candidate and the department chief or training officer must agree to the following:

The curriculum must be conducted as defined in the Lifesaving Resources' curriculum materials;

  1. All safety and rescue procedures must be adhered to during the conduct of all Lifesaving Resources' Ice Rescue Awareness, Operations, and Technician level courses;
  2. Ice Rescue Instructors must notify Lifesaving Resources of the course date and location at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the course.
  3. Ice Rescue Course Guidebooks ($15.00 ea.) must be obtained from Lifesaving Resources for each participant prior to the course start date.
  4. Upon completion of the course Ice Rescue Instructors must submit course completion paperwork to Lifesaving Resources within the required period of time in order to obtain Course Completion Certificates and Insignia ($5.00 ea.) for each course graduate.

Instructors are authorized for 3-years and must conduct at least 2 courses (Awareness, Operations, or Technician level), one of which must be a Technician-level course, within the 3-years in order to be eligible for re-authorization for an additional 3-years. Instructors must obtain a current copy of the Powerpoint presentation ($20) and Instructor's Manual ($40) every 3 years, although an updated version of each will be available annually.

Course Completion: 

Upon successful completion of the Academy, instructors will be authorized to conduct Ice Rescue Awareness, Operations, and Technician-level courses on behalf of their own Public Safety and Rescue agency.

Schedule: 

Thursday
19:00 - 22:00 hrs. Classroom

Friday
07:00 - 07:30 hrs. Breakfast
08:00 - 10:00 hrs. Classroom
10:30 - 12:45 hrs. Practical Session
13:00 - 13:45 hrs. Lunch
14:00 - 16:30 hrs. Practical Session
16:45 - 17:30 hrs. Classroom
18:15 - 18:45 hrs. Dinner
19:00 - 22:00 hrs. Classroom

Saturday
07:00 - 07:30 hrs. Breakfast
08:00 - 11:30 hrs. Practical Session
12:00 - 12:45 hrs. Lunch
13:00 - 16:30 hrs. Practical Session
17:00 - 18:00 hrs. Practical Session (Night Ops)
18:15 - 18:45 hrs. Dinner
19:00 - 22:00 hrs. Classroom

Sunday
07:00 - 07:30 hrs. Breakfast
08:00 - 11:00 hrs. Practical Session
12:00 - 12:45 hrs. Lunch
13:00 - 15:00 hrs. Classroom
15:00 - 15:30 hrs. Graduation

Course Reviews

John McGovern III

The instructors did an outstanding job keeping us interested and the course moving. This is a top-notch organization. Well done!

Mike Kaake

Awesome! Class will make myself and hopefully our department operate more safely and effectively.

Marc Brown

I enjoyed this class very much and I can honestly say everything was great - not only the course itself, but the hospitality was awesome.

Brian Povandra

Very good course. Like the accommodations. Instructors are very knowledgeable. Keep up the good work.

Hunter Harlan

Very good class. Exceeded my expectations. Instructors had a great attitude and were very positive. Great job! "Tough times don't last, tough people do!"

Robin True

Great course! Well organized. Great instruction. Thank you for the opportunity to attend.