Colorado Springs Fire Department trains on & under the ice

Icy water rescues are a harsh reality during Colorado winters, forcing firefighters to practice their skills on frozen ponds.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 tagged along for some training on Thursday just as some of the coldest weather of the season arrives.

You can watch the training exercises in the video above.

Firefighters want to remind you, never go onto the ice alone, and always keep your pets on a leash