Beatrice Fire and Rescue gets ready for new set of challenges brought on by summer

BEATRICE - With the unofficial start of summer this weekend, people are getting ready to get out and enjoy the warm weather and Beatrice Fire and Rescue is prepared for the new challenges they’ll face with the changing seasons.

Due to a mostly dry winter, many area fire departments responses were related to wildfires. Beatrice Fire Chief Brian Daake talked about the chances of fires in the warmer months.

“It depends on the weather,” Daake said. “We’re getting some good moisture now, as long as the humidity is higher down here, we continue to get some moisture periodically we should be ok in the fall and later summer.”

As more people come out and enjoy the weather, people take up things like grilling and fireworks. Daake says to follow all local regulations when handling fireworks during the days they’re legal in Nebraska and to practice common sense when grilling.

As far as when things pick up the most in summer, we’re still a few weeks away.

“July is usually one of our busier months throughout the year, everybody is realizing schools coming up fairly soon so they get out and do stuff,” Daake said. “With the advent of the canoe/kayak launch on the blue river, we’ve added a water rescue asset and training.”

Water rescue and training is one of things Beatrice Fire and Rescue is focusing most heavily on heading into summer. They’ve purchased new equipment including kayaks to perform water rescue’s and even search-and-rescue’s if necessary.

“We have guys who have gone out and done swift water training, next week we’re having a swift water rescue training class,” Daake said. “We’re just being prepared for water-born injuries and transitioning from cold weather injuries to hot weather injuries.”