January 16, 2025 – Mill Creek Fire Company was dispatched to a water rescue involving a dog trapped in the Carousel Park Pond at 12:30 PM.   The dog ran on to the frozen pond but fell into a section in the middle of the pond that was not frozen and was unable to climb back on to the ice.    Marine units from Goodwill, Hollow Terrace and Minquas Fire Companies responded to the pond which is located just off Limestone Road (Rt 7) in Pike Creek Valley.   Additional assistance responded from Hockessin, Cranston Heights, New Castle County Paramedics and the New Castle County Surface Water Rescue Team (SWRT).  In total responding units had nine SWRT members enroute to the rescue.

Units arrived on the scene to find the dog approximately 50’ from the edge of the pond treading water.   One of Mill Creek’s firefighters, Micheal Emmell who is a member of the SWRT, entered the pond in an ice suit and crawled out to the dog’s location and entered the water.  He was able to secure the animal while rescuers pulled him and the dog back to the shore with a rope.    

The dog was safely returned to its owner unharmed.   From the time of dispatched to final rescue the event duration was approximately twelve (12) minutes.   All units cleared the scene at 1:00 PM.

JS