Rescue operation on the Ros River
On March 10, in the city of Bila Tserkva on the Ros River, rescuers from the 4th State Fire and Rescue Unit pulled a dog from icy water. Upon arrival, specialists determined that the animal had fallen through a hole in the ice and could not get out on its own.
Rescuers carefully reached the scene and, using specialized equipment, pulled out the frightened but alive dog. The operation was quick and coordinated — with no danger to the crew or the animal.
"Every minute matters: speed and technique save lives — of people and animals. We acted according to procedures, so the outcome was positive",
— Oleksandr Koval, commander of the 4th State Fire and Rescue Unit (State Emergency Service — SES)
Context and advice
This incident and a previous operation, when rescuers pulled a dog and a man who had tried to save it from the river, serve as a reminder: with the onset of the thaw the ice becomes thin and the risk of unexpected breaks increases.
The State Emergency Service and local rescuers advise staying away from the edge of the ice, not going onto bodies of water with pets, and calling for help immediately at 101 if you see a person or animal in the water. Simple precautionary measures reduce the number of emergency calls and save lives.
This was the same advice in action: the rescuers' professionalism ensured a positive result. But are we all ready to minimize risks at our level? The answer affects how many resources will need to be spent on response in the future.
