Beating the heat

[WannabeintheFD]

What do you to keep cool at the station/on a call???

[bfd5229]

at the station we just put the AC on on a call we bring water with us so when were done we have something to drink but other then that we deal with the heat

[ff7134]

We have a couple of those Cool Vest and a Mist machine for rehab. Other than that welcome to the Job!

[WannabeintheFD]

what are cool vests? are they like the nike dri fit, or the under armor shirts??

[FiRsqDvr45]

We are, after all, the City on the Lakes so a little water rescue training from time to time is of major importance!

Of course the most important aspect is to keep hydrated. A fridge full of cold bottled water and a cooler of the same on the engines and forestry truck fit the bill. And as others have said, stay inside in the AC if possible!

[dfdex1]

Wannabe,try to spend as little time in your gear as possible. I freeze a bottle of water and put it in my radio pocket that way you always got ice cold water and its always with you. Just stay in the AC and were lucky cause our appartus floor and station is all AC!Those misting rings work well I stood infront of one at a very hot parade and it felt good! I heard those vests work well too but never tried one.

This is the vest 7134 was talking about.
http://www.galls.com/shop/viewProduc...02&catcode=199

[ff7134]

http://www.glaciertek.com/cooling.htm

This is the company that we buy our vest from. They say put them in a refrig, we just wet them down with a line and wear them. We mostly use them on the SHOT Team, we have some on our Ladder.

[RyanEMVFD]

I'm in Texas, what's "staying cool" and "AC" mean?

[EoneTiller]

Here at the firehouse we have A/C, so its nice. we also have a good supply of water and gatorade in the fridge. also we have assortment of differant sodas.

[Sleuth]

Gents, be careful with the frozen water and refigerated drinks. I used to work outdoors in 120+ temps. Drinking cold drinks can easily give you cramps. Room temp water is better, you don't want to cramp up inside the burning building.

[firefighter26]

Like everyone else has said, a good steady stream of water (no pun intended) is the best way to keep hydrated. Also, as someone else suggested, try to leave as much of that equipment behind has possible, BUT, still make sure you are properly protected.
We had a bush fire earlier this week; the first thing the OIC told us was to drop our jackets. No use in lugging around the extra weight of a turn out gear jacket while your humping hose through the bush.

And finally, the most important part about "keeping cool"

ALWAYS make sure you have your sunglasses on

[ullrichk]

Lotsa water BEFORE you need it and some Gatorade every now and then (Make mine antifreeze yellow please )

On scene we rotate crews as frequently as possible and lots more water. Take off the turnout coat and helmet whenever possible.

That would be away from the incident