'Part of the job' Frigid temps provide additional challenge for firefighters

BEATRICE, Neb. - A challenging job, made even more difficult, at the hands of Mother Nature.

“Fire fighting is hard to begin with, but when it’s super cold out it becomes super challenging because we use water to put fires out and when it’s cold, water freezes, obviously.”

Frigid conditions, that much of Nebraska are experiencing this weekend, leads to added risks for departments across Nebraska, including Fire Chief Brian Daake and his crew at Beatrice Fire and Rescue.

Some of those risks include slip and fall hazards, equipment failures, and hoses freezing. In addition, it also poses the risk of frost bite or hypothermia and even overheating when firefighters dress to account for the cold.

“We’re going to get wet and guys have to be really careful in how many layers we wear underneath,” Daake said. “But, if your hands or face are exposed, it can lead to more frostbite.”

In southeast Nebraska, temperatures are expected to remain in the single digits until Sunday afternoon, with wind chills reaching beyond 20-degrees below zero. While uncomfortable and even more dangerous than normal, cold weather doesn’t stop firefighters from providing life-saving measures.

“We still have to do what we do, it’s part of the job,” Daake said. “You can look back at pictures of icicles all over firetrucks and firefighters, it still happens.”