NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — First responders are preparing to tackle the hazardous road conditions as temperatures dip below freezing in Arkansas.
“Every emergency scene is different for us and you kind of have to adapt to it as you get there,” North Little Rock Fire Department Captain Jacob Lear- Sadowsky said. "This amount of cold, or this level of cold, does not help anything.”
Sadowsky said making sure the department's equipment is good to go has been their number one priority.
“We checked over this morning, making sure everything's in operational order [and] making sure we have proper supplies,” Sadowsky said.
However, they aren’t just making sure their trucks are good to go. They're double-checking every unit's equipment, especially the water hoses.
“Making sure the water and our fire trucks do not freeze," Sadowsky said. "All of our engines carry 720 to 750 gallons of water."
Sadowsky said maintenance on the water hoses is similar to a house faucet.
“We will leave the valve or the nozzle cracked to allow some water to slowly trickle out to keep water flowing," Sadowsky said. "Just like a dripping faucet at the house.”
The North Little Rock Fire Department is also checking the gear they wear while fighting a fire is good to go.
“With this extreme temperature, we actually run the risk of our air packs freezing the moisture in them," Sadowsky said." So, we take precautions by changing our air packs.'
Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) is also making sure that their vehicles are ready to go and can brace potentially hazardous roads. Their biggest concern is making sure the staff is warm and safe while responding.
“We want to make sure that they have the proper attire to wear, MEMS Operations Director Chris Marshall said. "As far as if they need gloves, extra jackets, socks... because getting out in the environment you need more layers.”
Marshall said layers aren't just important for first responders but for everyone.
“Frostbite, hypothermia for a prolonged exposure to the cold weather, and it just goes back to dress appropriately,” Marshall said.
Both departments are ready to respond and ask Arkansans to be cautious.