Emergency Preparedness for Residents of Ottawa

Emergency Medical Services (Ambulances)

Water and Ice Rescue

Ottawa waterways are normally calm. For four months of the year, however, they are frozen and subsequent winter run-off raises water levels by as much as 6 metres, turning our rivers into raging torrents for two to three weeks.

Our Ice and Water Rescue Team responds to calls anywhere in the City.

The five-person team has the latest in immersion-suit technology and uses a Res-Q-Alive sled where swift currents are suspected beneath the ice. The unit also has two Zodiac inflatable boats and towing vehicles.

Remember...

• Always keep pets and small children off rivers and ponds until you are certain that the ice is thick enough to support their weight.
• Never trust ice that has a flowing current running under it. The current thins spots in the ice which may not be detected--until it is too late.