Firefighters Taking Extra Precautions During Dangerous Heat Wave

Firefighters battle fires in all seasons, but the summer temperatures can be challenging. 

The Tulsa Fire Department said crews have to be diligent about staying hydrated and saving their energy in order to respond to multiple fires in a day. 

Wednesday, crews battled a fire near 81st and Sheridan. 

"The environment we work in is not one that is very forgiving, and we don't always get an opportunity to rest," said Andy Little with the Tulsa Fire Department. 

Little said during the summer heat, crews focus on staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest. He said they send multiple crews to fires, so crews can take breaks. 

"Our district chiefs are trained to rotate those crews out, try to get them hydrated, get them in some shade, really anything they can do," Little said.

Little said they also have a rehab trailer that responds to fires and carries sports drinks, waters, and chairs for crews to be able to sit and rest. 

Little said it is important crews have a chance to take a break because they could be fighting several fires in one day. 

"You are going to be taxed physically, they may finish up a fire, go back in service and another one might come right back in," he said. 

Little said while the summer months can be challenging, it doesn't keep them from serving the community. 

"Firefighters, we don't always have the option to stop working, you know, in many jobs you can say, hey I need to stop, well you can't do that when you're inside a fire," he said. 

Little said no one was hurt in the house fire Wednesday, and the cause is under investigation.