Five members of the San Juan County Fire and Rescue Tech Team participated in an ice training course at Lake Nighhorse near Durango on Feb. 27 and 28.

Arroyo Rescue, based in Durango, conducted the 16-hour, two-day class, according the Devin Neeley, San Juan County public relations and film director.

Both days of the class were conducted in Durango – one day of classroom instruction and one day at Lake Nighthorse. Paid staff and volunteers were in the class.

Neeley said the “technical rescue team is quite large and has members who are specifically trained in a number of different disciplines, some are cross-trained.” Seven members are now certified in ice rescue.

Arroyo Rescue offers rope rescue courses, swiftwater rescue, ice rescue, wilderness medicine, confined space rescue, boat operations and recreational boating, climbing, rappelling and canyoneering.

Training consisted of one day in the classroom and the other with practical application at Lake Nighthorse. Students learned to access and rescue people from ice and cold water using ropes, ladders, inflated fire hoses, contact rescues, boat rescue and self-rescue.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter is asked to call (505) 334-1180 or visit SJCFireRescue.net.