The icemen cometh

While most in Brick enjoyed the warm comforts of their homes Saturday, members of the Brick Underwater Recovery Team took a dip in the frigid Lake Riviera

PHOTOS BY SEAN BRADY Jim Hajeski demonstrates how to operate a rescue sled to members of the Point Pleasant Borough and Brick Underwater Recovery Teams.

Commonly known as the "Dive Team," the group is a specialized unit of volunteers within the Brick Fire Department. In the municipality with the most waterfront property in the state, Brick’s team has many roles, such as assisting victims of boating accidents, submersions, swimmers and boaters in distress, and vehicles in the water.

But with the recent blast of dangerously cold temperatures, the team decided the time was right to cut a hole in the lake and practice recovering mock victims who fell through the ice. The drill was conducted alongside underwater recovery officials from Point Pleasant Borough.

— Karl Vilacoba

Kevin Batzel (l) and Jim Hajeski demonstrate how to attach a floatation device to a victim. Brick Underwater Recovery Team members pull Capt. Chuck Hilling and Assistant Capt. Jon Meaney of the Point Pleasant Borough team during a drill at Lake Riviera. Using a sled, Jim Hajeski (l-r), Pat Mulcahey, Dave Murrin and Kevin Batzel practice recovering a submerged victim.