RCFD Cold Weather Operations

"Prepare, Prevent, Protect" No Matter What the Temperature Is

By Jim Bussell- RCFD Public Information Officer

Rapid City, S.D. - Just like most everyone in Western South Dakota, we keep a really close eye on the weather. The weather is one of the factors that plays a major role in what we do and how we do it. For our organization, there is no such thing as a "snow day". Generally, it seems that when the weather is bad, we get busier. There isn't one single factor that we can point to. I'm not even certain that there is data to support that statement. Simply put, though, it feels like when the weather turns, so too does the call volume. Or, at least, the complexity of calls seems to change a little bit.

Ask a Paramedic that has been around for awhile and they will tell you that they've delivered more babies in snow storms than fair weather days. Many of our firefighters will recall that some of the most memorable fires have happened in extreme cold. When the weather is at it's worst, the Rapid City Fire Department is at it's best.

A common question from many people is; "What do you, as a department, do to prepare for cold weather?" For the Rapid City Fire Department, cold-weather operations and preparation for inclement weather takes place on many fronts.

At a personal level, most firefighters prepare for the cold weather season well ahead of time. On duty days, it's not uncommon to see back-packs or bags of all shapes and sizes riding on the apparatus. Among the items our firefighters carry, extra gloves, socks, stocking hats and, on occasion, goggles of some sort. Because none of us knows where duty may take us throughout the course of a shift, we must be ready for just about anything. During cold weather, staying dry is a key component to keeping warm and being able to function at a high level.

Every morning, Rapid City Firefighters participate in a shift briefing. This briefing helps lay out the framework for the day but also serves as an opportunity to increase situational awareness with regard to the weather. This morning, crews reviewed operation of the Hagglunds vehicle and will spend time reviewing how to chain up fire apparatus should the conditions require it. The big conversation this morning regarding this particular storm has centered around the dangerous cold.

When you are in the business of emergency response during poor winter weather, nothing comes easy. A task like moving a patient from a home to an ambulance requires planning. Our employees take a great deal of care ensuring that patients are moved in and out of the elements as quickly and safely as possible while, at the same time, ensuring that they remain as comfortable as possible. This is not always easily done.

Everything requires careful thought in inclement winter weather conditions. Parking a fire apparatus for long periods of time can be problematic. The driver/operator must put the engine or truck in pump gear to ensure water circulates through the pump to prevent the pump from freezing up. If we have a fire, nozzles must be kept slightly open to ensure water flow so that the nozzles and hoses don't freeze solid. Hose-lines are not easily manipulated or moved. Fittings used to connect to fire hydrants frequently freeze to the hydrant and the hydrant itself may need to be attended to by the Water Department. This doesn't begin to address issues caused by the water used to fight the fire freezing and creating an additional weight hazard and causing hazardous footing conditions.

Long story short, your Rapid City Fire Department is always ready and proud to serve no matter what the weather brings. The cold and snow do bring additional challenges that we are prepared to meet, even when the thermometer drops around or below zero. Please do us a favor and help keep fire hydrants unobstructed and clear of snow. Be safe with ignition sources and do your part to ensure that we don't have to fight fire in this weather. Stay safe and enjoy your snow day, Rapid City. 

For questions  or comments regarding this release, please contact RCFD Public Information Officer Jim Bussell at (605)-394-4180.