When Minnesota’s thermometer takes a polar plunge, SBM Fire Chief Dan Retka knows his department will deal with cold weather issues.
“We don’t want to be out fighting fires in this weather,” Retka said. “Not only is it hard on our people, it’s hard on our equipment. It’s very hard on our equipment. So very taxing. Heat waves things like that, that’s not fun but it’s not as hard on our equipment.”
Putting out fires in cold weather makes a hard job even more difficult.
“In the winter time everything freezes up, ice builds up and becomes unsafe with slipping hazards. We have folks that are slipping and hurting themselves and then frostbite and things like that so, not fun.”
According to Retka, there are some basic tips to avoid a fire in your apartment or house.
“You want to make sure you’ve got approved heating sources,” Retka said. “Don’t heat with your stove top, don’t heat with your oven. If you’re going to use a space heater make sure there is three feet clearance around your space heater. Make sure it’s all clear because we have a lot of fires with space heaters as well.”
Frigid temps can take a toll on everyone. Retka says his department is constantly trying to educate new Minnesota residents – especially those from other countries – how to handle bitter cold.
“You just need to be careful,” Retka said. “You can’t take this lightly.”
The best way to combat the cold is to be prepared. Don’t discount how much harm frostbite and wind chill can cause.
“The wind chill is what really gets you,” Retka said. “The temperature might only be zero, but your body’s feeling 15 to 20 below and that’s the type of thing that will get you. That’s why it’s so important to be prepared, not only our firefighters, but the general public.”
If you have to venture out on the highway, be ready just in case your car breaks down.
“Make sure you’ve got a kit in your car to keep you safe if the worst happens, you have a breakdown, flat things like that,” Retka said. Stay in your car don’t go venturing out. Make sure folks know where you’re going. Make sure you’re checking on your elderly parents, elderly grandparents, making sure they’re okay.”
Retka says the department offers a free home safety survey, where professionals come into your residence and check heating sources and give tips on how to get through extreme weather conditions. For more info go to their web page at sbmfire.org.
