About 25 Milford firefighters responded to the corner of Robert Treat Parkway and Meadowside Road Friday morning, not for an emergency but to make sure they’re prepared when there is one.

Every year, the department trains in ice rescues, with this winter’s lesson taking place at Walker Pond.

“We're simulating a victim falling through the ice and using our special equipment to rescue them in a safe manner,” explained Capt. Brandon Edo.

This winter's frigid forecast has been conducive to this practice. The previous couple winters had warmer temperatures and few windows to set up these scenarios.

“Sometimes it's more of a water rescue than an ice rescue, but fortunately we got a good opportunity this year,” Edo said.

One firefighter acted as the victim in each drill, as others slid out on the ice to save him—sometimes going through the exercise with just rope and sometimes using a sled. The rest of the group worked from the shore to reel them in.

Each firefighter wore special gear called a Mustang Suit, which is insulated to keep rescuers dry and warm.

“Body temperature will stay inside that suit for a long time. So, the guys have been in the suits for about an hour now, and they're probably very comfortable to keep training,” Edo said. “We use them for ice rescue, and we use them for open water rescues on Long Island Sound. They're very important pieces of equipment.”

News 12’s Marissa Alter got to see for herself, suiting up before taking a polar plunge. The suits are not only waterproof but buoyant, so they act as flotation devices.

“Ice rescues are one of the more dangerous things that we can come across,” Edo told News 12, adding that Milford firefighters respond to a handful every year. “It seems to always start with an animal of some sort. A dog will run out on a lake, maybe fall through or get stuck, and the pet owner instinctually chases after them. Just because it can hold a dog doesn't mean it can hold a human.”

Edo said while the standard rule is that 4 inches of ice can support the average person, don’t chance it.

“We can never tell where it's 4 inches versus less or if there's a warm pocket and it's only 2 inches, so we never say that ice is safe to be out on,” Edo stated.

His message to the community: “Stay off the ice.”