Aisin Drivetrain Inc. in Crothersville recently presented a $2,900 donation to the Crothersville-Vernon Township Volunteer Fire Department to purchase ice rescue suits and equipment. From left are Firefighter Scott Davis, Deputy Chief Logan Isenhower, Firefighter and Public Information Officer Mikey Blair, Rob Combs with ADI, Fire Chief Ben Spencer and Firefighter Sally Deaton Submitted photo

The Crothersville-Vernon Township Volunteer Fire Department recently received a $2,900 donation from Aisin Drivetrain Inc. to obtain ice rescue suits and other equipment needed for a safe ice rescue.

Public Information Officer Mikey Blair said the department had discussed trying to obtain the equipment needed but felt more members needed to be properly trained before spending money on the equipment.

On Feb. 13, Blair, fellow firefighter Donald Crater and Deputy Chief Logan Isenhower completed a seven-hour class to be trained on how to properly use the equipment needed during an ice rescue.

After the class concluded, Blair, who is employed with ADI in Crothersville, was approached by Rob Combs, the company’s safety environmental section manager, and discussed the rescue training class and how ADI could help the fire department.

With the department now having four firefighters trained to respond to ice rescues and with the donation to obtain the equipment, it will now be able to respond if needed to a rescue.

“I want to thank ADI for their continued support of our community,” Fire Chief Ben Spencer said. “Performing a rescue in cold water and ice is a technical task that requires proper equipment and advanced training. We want to provide the citizens and visitors of Vernon Township with the best service we can. With this donation, we now have another rescue tool in the toolbox.”

With the donation, the fire department will be obtaining four rescue suits, all of the ropes needed and a rescue sling. The department is looking to have more members trained with the equipment once they obtain it.

Blair said he is very thankful for ADI’s support of the department, and firefighters will be ready to respond if they need to, but hopefully, they don’t have to use this equipment on a regular basis.

The fire department plans to host an ice rescue class in the winter to get more firefighters trained in this type of rescue.

Anyone interested in joining the department should call 812-793-3473, email [email protected]​ or send a message via facebook.com/crothersvillefire.