280
The integration of efforts between civilian and
military structures forms the basis for establishing an
effective risk management system on rivers during the
winter period.
8 EXAMPLES AND PRACTICES
To better understand the challenges and successful
implementations of rescue procedures on frozen rivers,
two significant practical examples are presented
below.
8.1 Rescue of an Animal from the Frozen Sava River in
Belgrade (January 2017) [6]
In January 2017, due to extremely low temperatures, a
dog became trapped on the frozen Sava River in
Belgrade. The intervention was carried out by
members of the Emergency Situations Sector, using
specialized equipment for moving on ice. Following
established procedures, the rescuer safely approached
and evacuated the animal, which was then cared for by
the veterinary service.
This incident illustrates the capability and
preparedness of rescue services in Serbia to respond
effectively under challenging conditions on frozen
water surfaces.
8.2 Rescue Operation on the Danube near Novi Sad
(Serbia, 2021) [6]
In February 2021, due to a sudden onset of weak ice,
several pedestrians found themselves in danger on the
frozen surface of the Danube near Novi Sad. The local
fire and rescue unit, in cooperation with members of
the Gendarmerie and River Police, organized a rescue
operation:
− a rescue line was established with ropes and special
ice carriers,
− amphibious vehicles were used for safe access,
− all those at risk were rescued, without serious
consequences.
This example shows the effectiveness of local civil-
military cooperation, but also the importance of
regular training and readiness of teams for work in
winter conditions.
8.3 Rescue operation on the frozen Lake Palić (February
2021) [6]
In February 2021, an incident occurred on Lake Palić
when a sailor became trapped on the frozen surface.
During the rescue operation, due to the insufficient
stability of the ice, members of the fire and rescue unit
also found themselves in danger. Thanks to the
coordinated intervention with members of the Sailing
Club, the person was successfully rescued and treated
for frostbite.
This event highlights the complexity of rescue
procedures under unstable ice conditions and the
necessity of specialized training and equipment.
9 CONCLUSION
Search and rescue on frozen rivers is an exceptionally
demanding activity that involves numerous risks both
for the endangered individuals and the rescue teams.
The specific natural conditions, unpredictable behavior
of the ice, and weather circumstances require well-
planned, coordinated, and technically equipped
interventions.
The implementation of standard operating
procedures enables more efficient situation
assessment, safe approach to the endangered, and
rapid evacuation. In this context, a key factor of success
is civil-military cooperation, which unites resources,
knowledge, and capabilities of various structures to
achieve a common goal – saving human lives.
Experience from practice so far shows that regular
joint training, establishment of clear communication
channels, and unified command significantly increase
efficiency in emergency situations on frozen rivers. In
the future, it is necessary to continue developing
integrated response systems and investing in
specialized equipment and training to further enhance
society’s ability to respond to the challenges posed by
the winter period on rivers.
REFERENCES
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Techniques: Manual for First Responders. Ottawa.
[2] Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2019).
Search and Rescue Operations in Extreme Conditions
Manual. Washington, D.C.
[3] Hero Pinky – Novi Sad. (2015). Technical characteristics of
icebreakers. Internal documentation.
[4] International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF). (2017).
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Publications.
[5] Jovanović, M. (2015). Fundamentals of water rescue.
Belgrade: Faculty of Safety, University of Belgrade.
[6] Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.
(2020). Rules of Procedure for Rescue Services in
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[7] Republic Hydrometeorological Institute of Serbia. (2012).
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[8] Soproni, L. (2020). Civil-Military Cooperation in Disaster
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[9] Stevanović, S. (2018). Natural Disasters and Emergencies:
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