Members of the Lake Andes Fire Department and Ravinia volunteer fire department gathered recently on the banks of the Missouri River near Pickstown for ice rescue training.

Both departments exist through the efforts of their volunteer members. On this Saturday, those volunteers also gave up their personal time to receive training in support of their communities and those who visit the area.

Several months ago South Dakota Salutes was made aware of the Lake Andes Fire Department's request to add a Rescue Alive Ice Rescue Sled along with Ice Rescue Suits and awarded a grant through our Special Needs Fund which is managed through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. This grant was used as seed money to help raise local funds allowing the department to complete the purchase.

Lake Ande is the county seat of Charles Mix County and is surrounded by large volumes of water; the community's namesake Lake Andes is 4,817 acres of recreational water. The Missouri River and Lake Francis Case are also nearby. With much of the area's water providing fishing opportunities to anglers year round, the Lake Andes Fire Department relied on a technique of pressurizing fire hoses with air to perform ice/ water rescues.

Donations to support additional grants to rural South Dakota emergency response organizations may be mailed to: Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation South Dakota Salutes Special Project Fund 200 N. Cherapa Place Sioux Falls, SD 57103-2205