LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Heat index levels have been downright oppressive during these summer months in central Arkansas for anyone doing anything outdoors.
But for firefighters dressed in thick protective clothing and surrounded by flames, the heat can turn deadly in a matter of minutes.
"These last couple weeks have been pretty brutal," said Capt. Randy Hickman of the Little Rock Fire Department. Firefighters on the other side of the river said the same thing.
"When you go into a house fire, some of those temperatures can reach 1,200 to 1,300 degrees and higher," said North Little Rock Fire Marshal John Pflasterer, adding that about 2 years ago the department finalized a clearly-defined plan to monitor firefighters' exposure during the heat of summer. "We finalized these procedures in the last 2 years or so, before we didn't really have anything in writing, we just knew what to do, but we have actual guidelines and procedures in place now that we follow."
Outside, every fire crew sets up a rehab station stocked with water, along with special cooling chairs complete with pockets made for ice.
"They can dip their arms into the water and the ice and get cooled off," added Pflasterer. "We've got the cool mist fan, which is going to blow cool water and air onto them. They can hydrate there in rehab, they'll get their vitals taken."
And not only can the heat take a toll on individual firefighters, because it takes more people to fight a fire during summer, it can put added strain on an entire department as the need for added manpower increases.
"Generally, when it's this hot, we have extra crews on scene," added Hickman. "It does cost a lot of manpower, because you have companies from all over town that are having to move to cover them."
