How do firefighters work in extremely cold weather?

“We have lots of problems,” said Stillman Valley Fire Protection District Chief Chad Hoefle. “We try really hard to make sure that things don’t freeze up. But when it gets this cold, it’s very difficult to keep the fire apparatus working like they’re supposed to,” Hoefle said.

Fire trucks that are frozen are out of commission until they can be completely thawed.

“Those apparatus are out of service for up to hours while we’re trying to get them back in mission-ready [status] to be able to go out the door to the next incident,” said Hoefle.

Not only can the trucks freeze, but fire hydrants can too.

Rockford Fire Department’s arson investigator, Michael Schnaper, said, “They are dry barrel hydrants. So they actually are designed to not freeze because there isn’t water in them all the time. However, once water starts flowing, particularly when it’s cold, the water can still freeze around there.”

Firefighters say there is a way you can help, especially after a heavy snowfall.

“So, one of the concerns that we have with hydrants is that snow will accumulate around them. We do ask that people, if you notice a hydrant near where you live start to have some snow accumulate, shovel that out, as well as your driveway,” Schnaper said.

Firefighters also recommend residents stay safe this winter season, and check carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms.