While temperatures dipped to the single numbers and winds gusted to 40 miles per hour, members of the Center Harbor, Meredith and Moultonborough fire departments practiced their ice rescue skills Friday afternoon at the M/S Mount Washington's winter port.

Center Harbor Fire Chief John Schlemmer said the department played host to the mutual aid drill so neighboring departments could hone their skills in working together. In small, rural communities, Schlemmer said, volunteers staff the local departments and, oftentimes during daylight hours, many of those volunteers are working out-of-town, forcing the fire departments to rely on mutual aid help.

The scenario established for Friday's drill was that someone working aboard The Mount, which currently is having new engines installed, had fallen from the vessel into the chilly, open water surrounding the ship on Center Harbor Bay.

The Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid Association toned Center Harbor firefighters to the mock incident shortly after 1 p.m. Meanwhile, two Laconia firefighters, dressed in special "dry suits," acted as "victims" and paddled about in open water next to the sightseeing vessel.

Volunteers with the Center Harbor Fire Department pull a mock drowning victim off the ice of Center Harbor Bay on Friday during a mutual aid drill. (Bea Lewis/Citizen Photo) Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

Center Harbor volunteers quickly responded and were able to suit up in their own protective gear and make their way to the edge of the ice, towing a rescue sled.

While other firefighters who remained on the ice held ropes that tethered both the rescuers and the victims, a crowd of onlookers — including several curious anglers — gathered to watch.

The two victims were quickly rescued and were pulled onto the ice where one was strapped into the waiting sled and towed to shore.

The training continued throughout the afternoon.

"We just happened to pick the coldest day of the year to do it," commented Schlemmer.