When temperatures soar, the heat can be dangerous — even deadly.
While there are ways to escape sweltering conditions, emergency responders don’t always have that option.
“It is difficult in warm weather, but we don’t have a choice,” said Todd Wood, Oshawa Fire Services Deputy Chief.
No matter the temperature, firefighters, paramedics and police are out there, and working under broiling conditions can make their already difficult jobs that much more challenging.
“With our bunker gear, our SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) and mask, we have irons which has an axe and a Kelly tool together and a high rise pack, that combination is almost 100 pounds,” said Wood.
Firefighters, then, have more to contend with than flames during a heat wave — and as Wood says, firefighters can sweat out three to five pounds on a single call.
“Temperatures are obviously elevated sometimes, 3 to 400 degrees or even higher,” Wood said. “You have the gear on, the exterior temperature could be 80, 90, 100 degrees out, like it has been, and that’s why we hydrate right after and that’s why we provide snacks right after just to replenish the body.”
Paramedics are also feeling the heat. Brock Bodashefsky says at times it’s been difficult keeping up with the number of calls for heat exhaustion.
The 20 to 30 pounds of gear police officers wear can feel heavier on days when there is a heat advisory. In the canine unit, the focus is always on their partners.
“Because the dogs don’t have any sweat glands, in this kind of heat they tend to burn out really quick, so we really have to watch them so they don’t get heat exhaustion,” said Cst. Corby Wright with the Durham Regional Police Canine Unit.
Having two dogs on every shift gives the dogs a chance to cool off and recharge when needed. The best place for that? The cruiser.
The K9 police vehicle windows also come down during the alarm.
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