"Gear off, cool off:" Professionals working outside in extreme heat must take precautions

BROWN DEER -- While most of us are either staying inside an air-conditioned building or heading to the pool to cool off amid the excessive heat, for some people, their jobs require them to be out in the heat.

From digging holes to operating heavy machinery, the work didn't stop Thursday, July 21st on the Wauwatosa State Street Station construction.

"Nowadays, this business goes year-round," said Ken Fenner, project superintendent.

The National Weather Service has downgraded the excessive heat WARNING to a heat ADVISORY -- which is now in effect until 7 :00 p.m. on Friday, June 22nd. The counties affected include Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Racine, Kenosha and Walworth.

Ken Fenner

With temperatures in the high 80s and 90s expected Thursday and Friday, project superintendent Ken Fenner said he knows his 47 guys will show signs of heat exhaustion if they don't take proper precautions.

"It's tough. I mean, you're out on that plywood deck -- it's 15° hotter on that deck than in the air from that heat coming up off of it," said Fenner.

The key to staying safe while also staying productive, Fenner said, is fluids and frequent breaks in the shade.

"We encourage them, if they're not feeling quite right, to go down below. It's a lot cooler in the basement," said Fenne.

The same applies to firefighters.

"We immediately try to get crews to take their gear off, cool off. You may see fire departments increase their alarms earlier than they normally would, just to get extra personnel there," said Lieutenant Dan Tyk with the North Shore Fire Department.

Lt. Tyk said crews must not only wear 70 pounds of protective gear under the hot sun, they're also often in contact with even hotter flames.

"If you're outside in shorts and a T-shirt, think of walking outside in maybe a winter coat and snow pants, and probably even a step above that," said Tyk.

An important reminder to the public about fire hydrants: Lt. Tyk said they are not sprinklers. Trying to open one with tools could make it difficult for firefighters to open one when there actually is a fire nearby -- not to mention the fact that it's illegal.