Firefighting Safety in the Winter

Firefighters are not at liberty to wait for the cold to pass before heading to a fire.

The low temperatures of late can make it very difficult for firefighters to do their job. Lieutenant Doug Hobson at the Zanesville Fire Department said the splash back from their hoses can soak their gear in a matter of minutes.

“Normally during a house fire, we get so cold, so soaked that you don’t get rewarmed until you get back here, get your gear changed, get a nice hot shower, so it makes it really difficult,” Hobson said. “Your hands, your feet, you just get so cold that I guess you don’t even feel your extremities which is not a good thing.”

Getting wet adds to the cold, but it’s not the only issue firefighters face while attacking a fire. Hobson said even walking on the snow and ice plays a role in causing injuries to firefighters. He added that taking an extra second can help them work faster.

“Making another emergency is not going to help the emergency that we’re going to,” Hobson said. “So you have to be very cautious in what you’re doing in these kind of conditions.”

When heading out to fires in the cold the Zanesville Fire Department takes the squad car with them and turns the heat on full blast. This provides a place for firefighters to warm up for a minute during a long fight.