San Jose firefighters prepare for sizzling temperatures, heat danger
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- San Jose is going to sizzle. Firefighters there not only worry about grass fires but also about people suffering from dehydration or heat stroke.
The Children's Discovery Museum is a popular place for kids during the summer. Kids can play and learn but, probably most importantly for the parents, there's air conditioning.
It's summer. The lawn needs to be mowed, why not hire someone to do it?
It's a great idea unless you're Art Olmos. He happens to be "the guy" to hire.
He knows temperatures are going to be in the mid-90s later Tuesday afternoon. That's why he started at 5 a.m. and was done by 8:30 a.m.
With all his work experience, he's learned that you don't push the lawn mower. Ride the lawn mower and avoid the heart during the middle of the day.
Dry grass is a big concern for San Jose firefighters, as conditions are ripe for flames.
This past weekend, an 80-acre fire burned in Almaden.
Firefighters know Tuesday's hot temperatures increase fire danger and it also increases the danger to firefighters. "If there's water coming out of you, you need to put the water back in," San Jose Fire's Capt. Mitch Matlow said,
San Jose Fire Department's Med-30 apparatus carries coolers full of water and Gatorade, along with a cooler mist, tent fan and other items designed to help firefighters recover.
Once temperatures go over 85 degrees, the fire department will cancel or modify outdoor training.
But it's not just the professionals needing protection.
About 85 percent of San Jose Fire Department's calls are medical and when it's hot, children, the sick and the elderly are especially vulnerable to heat-related illness and dehydration.
"Just like if you can prevent fires, it keeps units in service. If we can prevent the heat-related emergencies by keeping people cool, by keeping them hydrated and keeping them well-rested, then it keeps our units in service for other things that aren't preventable," Matlow said.
If you're looking for a place for you and your kids to cool down, go to one of these San Jose public pools.
How do you plan on beating the heat? Share your photos with us by tagging them Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook with #abc7now.
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