Crime & Safety

In Summer Heat, Firefighters Battle More Than Flames

Chiefs are on the lookout for firefighters exhibiting signs of heat-related illness.

When the alarm sounds, firefighters spring into action, and heat waves — like the one the East End is experiencing — simply can't slow them down. 

Heat-related illnesses are a common occurrence as intense temperatures and high humidity make it more difficult for firefighters to do their jobs safely. 

Bill Sanok, the public information officer at the Riverhead Fire Department, said firefighters have been tested this week, including responding to a brush fire on Sound Avenue earlier in the week. 

He knows all too well the challenges that face firefighters in extreme heat. A former firefighter, he is also the president of the board of directors at the Suffolk County Fire Academy, where local firefighters train.

"There's a big emphasis on staying hydrated," he said. "The problem is your gear is meant to keep heat out, but it also keeps heat in by building up the heat inside." 

Just on Thursday morning, in Brooklyn, a firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion, according to NBC News. The television station also reported nine firefighters were taken to the hospital with heat-related injuries after a Bronx fire on Wednesday. 

The weather and heat from the flames aren't the only considerations, but the gear firefighters wear. With all of the protective gear on, plus the self-contained breathing apparatus pack, firefighters wear about 60 to 70 pounds of extra weight. While it's meant to keep the heat of the flame out, its counter effect is the body heat stays in. 

On Wednesday evening, East Hampton Fire Department First Assistant Chief Richard Osterberg donned his gear to demonstrate the effort it requires. 

After he pulled on his boots, trousers and coat, he put the air pack on his back and tested out his face mask — his lifeline to fresh air in any hazardous situation. "I've checked my mask and I'm sweating already, and I really haven't done anything yet," he said.

The National Fire Protection Association outlines the gear all interior and exterior firefighters have to wear. 

Turnout coats and trousers are a layered protection system that includes a fire-resistive outer shell. Protective flash-hoods, made of a fire-resistive, form-fitting cloth, encapsulate most of the head, except the face, to protect the ears, hair, and neck, as well as to keep the air mask's straps from melting. Helmets, designed to shed water and prevent embers from hitting the firefighter, are also heavy. Steel-toed boots and gloves that provide thermal protection round out the personal protective equipment.

According to the NFPA, the body's core temperature can increase due to the very encapsulation that the gear is supposed to provide to prevent burns as it also inhibits the body from cooling down. 

"Heat stress can generate numerous cardiac-related conditions, which are the leading cause of firefighter fatalities," according to the "Firefighter's Handbook." 

"We're told to watch for people who have symptoms of heat stroke," Sanok said. At the same time, he said, "That's part of the training. It's part of the experience. You've got to work as a team." 


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