Lexington firefighters prepared for high heat risks

LEXINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) — About 75 percent of all firefighters have reported suffering heat-related injury symptoms, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

But the heat can cause more problems than heat stroke. It can lead to sudden cardiac events, which is the top cause of firefighter fatalities.

Lexington firefighters helped extinguish a house fire on the Fourth of July when temperatures climbed to the high 90s.

“We always go in two in, two out,” Firefighter Abraham Juan said.

Juan says during the high heat, frequent breaks are mandatory.

When Juan zips up his fire protective gear, it both protects him and insulates him.

“It kind of feels like baggy clothes up until it starts getting sweaty, and then it sticks to you,” he said.

More breaks to cool down and get more air means they need more manpower, and sometimes need to call on other local fire departments.

“We do try to get them on their way pretty much as soon as we know there’s a working structure fire in the heat like this,” Lexington Deputy Fire Chief Michael Tofano said.

People might notice a larger response to even small fires, and he says the high temps present unique challenges.

“The challenge we have is when we come out, we’re trying to do our rehabilitation cool down … When it’s 100 degrees outside, you’re not really able to do that,” Tofano said.

So they rely on that buddy system heavily. Checking on each other is part of the routine, and it’s also personal.

“It reminds me of the military. We are all really close. It’s like coming into my other family,” Juan said.

So when they get the call, they know running into danger means keeping each other safe.

“We’re constantly asking, ‘Do you need a switch out?’ And we’ll go ahead and switch out and do the best we can,” Juan said.

They are preparing coolers full of ice to go out on calls to dunk towels in and put them on their necks as well.

When there is massive heat risk, paramedics evaluate firefighters regularly for symptoms of heat stroke.

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