Tulsa Firefighters Prepared For Possibility Of Overheating As Temperatures Rise

Oklahoma’s scorching weather can be really tough on first responders, especially firefighters.

With 30 to 40 pounds of gear, firefighters can get overheated quickly. That’s why, in hot weather, crews stay prepared in case they have to take immediate action.

When a crew member is overheating, the first step is to remove the gear. Then, that crew member's hands are put in ice water buckets.

Tulsa Fire chief, Jason Banks, said just dumping water over them won't work as well.

"By submersing our arms in buckets of water, it works just like water on a fire - that water absorbs the heat from the fire just as it does from the body. So, as the blood continues to circulate through your arms, it draws some of that heat off," he said.

Fire officials say it's a good thing to know if you ever come across someone who's overheating.