Firefighters respond to Sudbury Reservoir for an object on the ice

February 16, 2010

At 3:48 PM, a passer-by reported what he believed to be a person on the Sudbury Reservoir ice between Cordaville Road (Route 85) and Middle Road.

A responding police officer and the fire prevention officer, who was returning from a medical emergency, observed an object moving on the ice. Limited visibility due to moderate snow falling prevented emergency responders from identifying the object; however, it was moving in a manner which was similar to a person laying on, or fallen through the ice.

All four firefighter/EMTs were tied up on two simultaneous medical emergencies, so a recall of off-duty and on-call personnel was requested, as was Engine 23 with the ice rescue equipment.

An investigation revealed a bunch of helium-filled Valentine’s Day balloons had made their way onto the reservoir’s frozen surface and were blowing around in the breeze. Firefighters using cold water emersion suits with the ice rescue sled on stand-by checked to ensure there was not a person through the ice with the balloons. Once it was determined only balloons were involved, they were removed from the ice.

Westborough Fire Department provided an ambulance mutual aid for the incident, however, it was diverted to a third simultaneous medical emergency call. The Acting State Forest Fire Warden from District 14 also responded and provided assistance.

Traffic on the Cordaville Road causeway was down to one lane for approximately ½ hour during the incident.

There were no injuries.

The object as viewed from Cordaville Road.  With the wind blowing, it appeared as if a person was trying to get off of the ice.

The object as viewed from Cordaville Road.  With the wind blowing, it appeared as if a person was trying to get off of the ice.

Firefighter/EMT Tony Alessi dons a cold water immersion suit.

Lieutenant/EMT-I James Peltier makes his was onto the ice to investigate the situation.

Lieutenant/EMT-I James Peltier makes sure no one had gone through the ice.

Captain/EMT Joseph Mauro, District Fire Warden Tom Muise, Lieutenant James Colleary and Firefighter/EMT Tony Alessi stand by with the ice rescue sled.

Lieutenant/EMT-I Peltier retrieves the wayward Valentine's Day balloons...no, there was no balloon boy with this incident.

Lieutenant/EMT-I Peltier displays the offending balloons.