CHERRYVILLE, N.C. — Arctic air and wind chills in the single digits are not stopping first responders in North Carolina from braving the elements as they deal with their busiest season.
The National Fire Protection Association says home fires occur more in the winter than in any other season, but firefighters in Cherryville say they are well-equipped for any element.
“I just like what I do. I don’t think I could do an 8-to-5 desk job. It’s not for me,” said Doyle Brown, engineer driver for the Cherryville Fire Department.
The difference in every day is what has kept Brown busy, especially during the wintertime.
“It just tends to be drier in the winter. We see a lot more brush fires in the winter, house fires. People bring kerosene heaters in their house and all kinds of things like that to try to stay warm,” Brown said.
Yet as the temperatures drop to the lower 20s, it’s the extreme heat from fires and their gear that Brown says keeps them warm.
“So typically the gear is to protect us from the heat in a fire, but if we’re out in a wreck or something in the cold, it can also be pretty thick, has several layers, so it can keep us warm as well. We even have the hoods and everything. So not only can it protect us from fire, but it can keep us fairly warm in the cold weather,” Brown said.
It’s why winter becomes some of these firefighters’ favorite season to work in.
“When it comes to fire, fire is hot enough already. I don’t typically use the hand warmers or anything like that, I keep my hands in my pockets a lot, but I do have gloves and things like that,” Brown said.
As first responders work through the toughest elements, they say safety starts at home.
“I know it’s cold, and people don’t want to be cold, they want to be warm, and so they’re going to use things like space heaters and kerosene heaters and things like that. If you can, don’t use those things, maybe use some more blankets instead,” Brown said.
Brown also says residents can call their local fire departments for tips and tricks on safe ways to keep their homes warm and to look for local warming stations to stay safe throughout the night.