Rhode Island Firefighters Rescue Yellow Lab from Icy Pond on New Year’s Day
On New Year’s Day, a yellow Labrador named Phoenix found himself in a precarious situation in Rhode Island. While out for a walk, he ventured onto a thin layer of ice covering a pond and fell through. This incident prompted a swift response from local firefighters who performed a water rescue to save him.
Fire Rescue Operation
The Misquamicut Fire Department received an emergency call early Thursday morning. Volunteer firefighters quickly arrived at the scene along with support from the Watch Hill fire department. Upon arrival, they found Phoenix struggling in the icy water, unable to reach the shore.
Conditions on the Scene
The National Weather Service reported that the temperature at 9 a.m. was a chilling 26 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chills dropping to around 14 degrees. In such frigid conditions, the firefighters donned specialized ice rescue suits to protect themselves during the rescue.
Successful Rescue
Firefighters successfully extracted Phoenix from the pond. “It was the chillest dog I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Steve Howard, deputy chief of the Misquamicut Fire Department. Remarkably, the canine made no sounds during the rescue and appeared to be calm despite his ordeal.
Evaluating the Aftermath
Post-rescue, the firefighters underwent evaluations for potential hypothermia but thankfully did not require treatment. The fire departments referred to this mission as a “successful first call of 2026” in a statement released on social media.
- Dog’s name: Phoenix
- Location: Rhode Island pond
- Temperature: 26°F, wind chill 14°F
- Rescue units: Misquamicut and Watch Hill fire departments
Conclusion
In the aftermath, Phoenix was reported free from injuries. The deputy chief confirmed that the dog received extra food and took a well-deserved nap later that day. This rescue serves as a crucial reminder to always consider ice safety when near bodies of water. The fire department emphasizes, “No ice is ever safe.”
