Cold weather can lead to slower response times, other challenges for first responders
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Below freezing temperatures and the possibility of more snow in Mid-Missouri may cause headaches for local first responders.
According to Boone County Assistant Fire Chief Gale Blomenkamp, firefighters were faced with a challenge while battling a barn fire Tuesday evening that resulted in a total loss. Blomenkamp said the fire hydrant at the scene on I-70 Drive Southeast was located about 1,800 feet away.
That led to firefighters having to haul water up an ice-and-snow filled narrow driveway, making the fight against the blaze more difficult.
Blomenkamp said that isn't the only challenge firefighters face when it comes to the cold.
Generally speaking, he said winter weather can cause a delay in response times due to firefighters not being able to take certain routes to get to the fire. They also run into the possibility of not being able to park in certain areas when they get on scene.
Crews on scene also have to be more mindful of where they walk while fighting fires to avoid slipping and falling, which Blomenkamp said is one of the leading causes of injuries for firefighters. There is also the chance for firetrucks and firefighters' air packs freezing.
Hypothermia is also something firefighters have to constantly pay attention to, which is why Blomenkamp said most firefights typically dress in layers.
The cold weather also frequently takes more energy out of firefighters, Blomenkamp said. The department generally tries to cycle people more often because of this.
"It is difficult when you're trying to change your air bottle or you're working from a SCBA as soon as you start breathing, with that thing as soon as you stop using it, things start to freeze up because of the condensation in your breath," Blomenkamp said. "So, we've got to thaw those things out when we come out and we change bottles ad so sometimes you can get a longer break, but it's not necessarily planned to be longer."
The department also takes precautions to help fight fires in the cold. Blomenkamp said that includes draining water out of the pumps in the firetrucks to keep them from freezing. He also said the trucks are equipped with chains that help drive in up to six inches of snow.
The chains are also helpful when driving on ice, although they only work when the vehicle is in motion and can be hard to get going again when the vehicle isn't.
According to Blomenkamp, there isn't a worry about fire hydrants freezing due to them being "dry hydrants."
"The water valve is at 6 feet or more under underground so when you open that fire hydrant, you're opening the valve that's underground and so it's not frozen," Blomenkamp said.
