Emergency call turns into water rescue training exercise - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MONONA (WKOW) -- Firefighters were called out to a water rescue on the Yahara River Thursday afternoon, but when it turned out to be nothing they turned it into a training exercise.

Officials say they received a report of someone who needed help on the ice near Lottes Park in Monona.

When they didn't find anything, they turned it into a training exercise. A crew from the McFarland Fire Department took out their ATV to run through a rescue.

Firefighters say they value the practice.

"It's very important especially in a volunteer fire department because we don't have career staff. It's whatever is available in the village that day when the call comes in... is what they've got to do. So the volunteer fire departments, it's totally different. They have to be trained in every part of the fire department," said Rob Kunze with the McFarland Fire Department.

Firefighters say they haven't had much opportunity to practice rescues the past few years because the ice hasn't been thick enough.