EXTREME HEAT EMERGENCY 7/17/05
The Battalion 14 Commanders would like to remind all members that with record extreme temperatures expected for the upcoming week certain measures may be taken to reduce the risk of heat related emergencies while working in hot environments. These measures include the following:
1. Hydrate early and often. Proper hydration during periods of high temperatures is critical. Remember that if you wait until you're thirsty to drink it may be too late to prevent the onset of heat exhaustion or a more severe heat related emergency.
2. Pace yourself. To insure that you're there at the finish remember that the same tasks that are easily completed at a fire or other emergency are a lot tougher when fighting the heat associated with extreme weather conditions. You're not effective over the long haul if you go too hard too early.
3. Work as a team. Get together with your commander and the members of your company and develop a plan that involves sharing the load. You'll get more done with less stress if you work as a team to carry out tasks that could normally be accomplished by a single individual when working in weather conditions that are less extreme.
4. Help your buddy. Be on the lookout for other members that start to display the early signs of heat exhaustion. Utilize those EMT skills that you worked so hard to gain to identify those members with the warning signs.
5. Be honest with yourself. Nobody wants to be thought of as a "slacker" but it's not the smartest move to literally work yourself to the point of exhaustion when the heat may stop your body from fully recovering.
6. Incident Commanders - Upgrade the establishnment of a Rehab Group and a Medical Group in your list of priorities when working at an extended incident during times of high temperatures. Call for appropriate resources early and consider that members may fatigue earlier in the course of an incident. Develop a relief plan as early as possible and establish a Safety Officer if warranted in order to determine the safety of the company members on scene in relation to the tougher working conditions.
7. Company Commanders - Assign tasks that are more easily met and adjust your epxectations to coincide with what may be more realistic goals in relation to the influence of the high temperatures on your crew. Members will fatigue more quickly and will need to be relieved earlier during periods of extreme weather. Realize that your people may fight to "stay in there" but take on the responsibility of enforcing proper rest and rehab before the heat takes its' toll. Be very aggressive in insuring the safety of your members in these conditions.
8. All members - Use common sense and don't try to do too much in conditions that could quickly jeopardize your safety and well being at the scene of an emergency. Record heat can make it tough on all of us if we don't adjust our performance and expectations accordingly.
Stay Safe!
1. Hydrate early and often. Proper hydration during periods of high temperatures is critical. Remember that if you wait until you're thirsty to drink it may be too late to prevent the onset of heat exhaustion or a more severe heat related emergency.
2. Pace yourself. To insure that you're there at the finish remember that the same tasks that are easily completed at a fire or other emergency are a lot tougher when fighting the heat associated with extreme weather conditions. You're not effective over the long haul if you go too hard too early.
3. Work as a team. Get together with your commander and the members of your company and develop a plan that involves sharing the load. You'll get more done with less stress if you work as a team to carry out tasks that could normally be accomplished by a single individual when working in weather conditions that are less extreme.
4. Help your buddy. Be on the lookout for other members that start to display the early signs of heat exhaustion. Utilize those EMT skills that you worked so hard to gain to identify those members with the warning signs.
5. Be honest with yourself. Nobody wants to be thought of as a "slacker" but it's not the smartest move to literally work yourself to the point of exhaustion when the heat may stop your body from fully recovering.
6. Incident Commanders - Upgrade the establishnment of a Rehab Group and a Medical Group in your list of priorities when working at an extended incident during times of high temperatures. Call for appropriate resources early and consider that members may fatigue earlier in the course of an incident. Develop a relief plan as early as possible and establish a Safety Officer if warranted in order to determine the safety of the company members on scene in relation to the tougher working conditions.
7. Company Commanders - Assign tasks that are more easily met and adjust your epxectations to coincide with what may be more realistic goals in relation to the influence of the high temperatures on your crew. Members will fatigue more quickly and will need to be relieved earlier during periods of extreme weather. Realize that your people may fight to "stay in there" but take on the responsibility of enforcing proper rest and rehab before the heat takes its' toll. Be very aggressive in insuring the safety of your members in these conditions.
8. All members - Use common sense and don't try to do too much in conditions that could quickly jeopardize your safety and well being at the scene of an emergency. Record heat can make it tough on all of us if we don't adjust our performance and expectations accordingly.
Stay Safe!
