Prince Albert firefighters are taking steps to stay safe in the cold. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Working in cold weather

Emergency services dealing with cold weather conditions

Jan 15, 2020 | 1:37 PM

Across Saskatchewan people are dealing with very cold conditions.

Many people are doing their best to avoid the elements, but for some, staying out of the elements is not an option.

Prince Albert Fire Chief Kris Olsen explained the current conditions can be challenging ones for firefighters as they travel from extreme cold conditions to extremely warm ones. He added they make sure to be mindful of members working in challenging conditions.

“If a crew is exposed to cold weather conditions for a long period of time, usually the instant commander will take that into account and will relieve them [to] get them into a rehab situation,” he said.

In the cold conditions firefighters are layering up with gloves. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

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Olsen said it’s a challenge to work with equipment that can freeze quickly, or working with water which quickly turns to ice. This can make the work firefighters are doing all the more fatiguing.

“If that water sits for any time, it’s apt to freeze,” he said.

Firefighters are also wearing face coverings to stay warm when called out. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

Lyle Karasiuk, director of public affairs with Parkland Ambulance, said local paramedics are responding to cold-related calls for frostbite and hypothermia.

Karasiuk explained they make sure to remind staff to prepare for conditions. One challenge staff members face is transporting patients from their warm home to the ambulance waiting outside in the cold.

“Our crews are doing our very best to make sure that our patients are bundled up warm, adding as many extra layers as we can,” he said.

The colder conditions lead paramedics to search for warmer locations to work on a patient.

Karasiuk is reminding the public to keep an eye out for anyone who may be in medical distress due to the conditions. He said while there haven’t been any major injuries this year, they’d like it to stay that way.

“If you see them standing at an ATM or in a bus stop at say midnight and you know darn well the bank is closed and we have no buses running, please call 911,” he said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn