Local firefighters battle high temperatures

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – The hot weather presents challenges to everyone, but especially first responders. Local firefighters have some unique methods to stay cool.

One thing every firefighter has in common in their gear, which weighs between 50-60 pounds. Terre Haute Fire Department deputy chief Bob Malone says that it is not only heavy, but hot.

“It holds a lot of heat in there and it can cause issues at times,” Malone said. “We have different steps that we utilize on a fireground to help protect against that.”

When battling fires in high temperatures, firefighters must take some steps to care for themselves. One of those steps is a support unit containing chairs, misting fans, and much more. THFD captain James Harrah says that a safety officer is also present on the unit and monitors the health of the firefighters closely.

“The number one thing we are going to do is make sure we are drinking water just like anybody that works outside,” Harrah said. “We are going to make sure that we are drinking water, we also have electrolyte supplements to be able to combat some of that sweat release that we get from the extreme workload that we have during the fire and be able to maintain that cool temperature.”

Malone says a firefighter’s internal temperature can reach up to 105 degrees on a regular 75 degree day. He says it can get much higher when the outside temperature increases by 20 degrees.

“When it’s 95 degrees outside, we really have to be precautious on how we’re going to cool that firefighter quickly, get them back to homeostasis, get them back to normal body temperature or as close as we can so that we don’t have those injuries.”

Click here to contact the Terre Haute Fire Department.

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