OCONOMOWOC, Wis.— Firefighters from the Western Lakes Fire Department battle the heat during training and real life calls.

With heat indexes in the upper 90s this week, first responders said they are keeping their health at the top of their minds while working out in these scorching conditions. The Western Lakes Friee Department said it works on training for firefighters often. One of the most recent training days just so happened to fall on a 90 degree day.

“Firefighting equipment is relatively comfortable outside during the winter. It’s incredibly uncomfortable on a day like this,” Western Lakes Fire Department Assistant Chief Matthew Haerter said.

Heat like this is one of the main reasons the department has safety protocols in place. Alex Konen, Western Lakes Fire Department Division Chief of Training, said on days where training takes place, they make sure to account for extra breaks and bring out all the cooling gear they have on hand.

“We really practice on rehydration and giving our crews breaks and as you can see behind me we use misting fans that we like to put in place,” Konen said.

Typically in extreme heat or extreme cold, crew numbers are doubled to rotate people through while on calls; rehab for firefighters takes places between shifts to ensure no one overworks their body. The department offers cooling fans and vests to help firefighters get their core temperatures down to a safe level.

“The most common thing for firefighters dying is cardiovascular disease, so firefighters are dying at incidents or training of a heart attack,” Haerter said.

Haerter said those types of incidents are very closely correlated with heat stress according to recent studies. He said it is why his team works together to make sure people are cooling down, drinking water and able to perform at the top of their ability.

“Our main issue comes with our firefighters being able to recover from the heat stress they have experienced inside while doing their job both during the fire fight and after,” Haerter said.

The team is still able to work hard while using the tools they have at hand to keep cool even on these hotter days.