SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – First responders are preparing for a possible increase in weather-related calls as much of Central Florida is expected to see temperatures at or near-freezing over the next week.
Lt. Dave Williams said with the prolonged cold snap, Seminole County firefighters are expecting to see more calls for people exposed to the weather.
“When it comes to medical calls, that’s our biggest concern,” Williams said. “We look at pediatrics and elderly patients or those like the homeless who are outside for extended periods of time.”
Firefighters also expect to respond to heater-related issues at homes.
“It literally burns that dust off, so that’s why you have that heating smell. We do get a lot of those calls initially,” Williams said. “As far as active fires, we’ll see a little bit of an increase, but not drastic.”
Some of those fires may be caused by improper use of space heaters.
“If residents are going to use space heaters, just remember three feet away from any objects,” Williams said. “Don’t use an extension cord. If you’re using an extension cord for a space heater, you’re using it in the wrong space.”
For more information about cold weather preparedness, click here.