ROANOKE, Va. – Extreme cold is playing a big part in how first responders do their job.
As temperatures hit close to freezing, firefighters at the Roanoke Fire – Emergency Medical Services said they have to be extra cautious of ice freezing their trucks.
They have to be take extra care when leaving equipment outside for long periods of time.
Firefighters also have to carry more equipment than they usually carry on a day-to-day basis.
"The big thing is just taking care of our people and our equipment and making sure we are well-rested and well-prepared for anything that may come,” Trevor Shannon, a firefighter at Roanoke Fire-EMS, said.
Shannon added that working out in the cold requires more energy in order to keep everyone safe while also making sure equipment doesn't get damaged by the ice.