Fighting the Cold | Video

Amy Fox | 1/30/2013

The dangerously cold conditions can cause challenges for firefighters. They`re not only fighting fires, but they are also battling the cold. Sub-zero temperatures can be hard on fire equipment, like hoses and hydrants. Firefighters are forced to keep hoses running at all times to avoid freezing.

When they respond to a fire, more crews are sent out, so they can rotate in and out of the cold to avoid frost bite.

Regardless of the frigid temperatures, firefighters are forced to rely on their breathing equipment to help them mask both the fire and ice. "Just like a fire hose, you can`t stop using it,” said Minot Fire Chief CJ Craven. “If you`re breathing on a bottle and you disconnect your air piece and let it hang, the moisture from our breath is inside that piece and it will freeze up and it won`t be usable anymore. So, it causes a lot of problems."

In normal weather conditions, Craven says the air breathing equipment typically lasts for about 30 minutes.

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