OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The Overland Park Fire Department is sharing its winter safety tips as temperatures dip dangerously low across the metro.
Dan Stringfield, a 17-year veteran with OPFD, walked us through what keeps them warm in the midst of below freezing weather. It all starts with their gear.
"It's designed to keep all the heat from a fire away from us, which in turn keeps our body heat in so it's like a very nice, heavy winter coat," Stringfield said.
There's also an insulating layer and a vapor barrier that provide extra warmth.
Dr. Dhaval Bhavsar is the co-director of the burn unit and the University of Kansas Hospital. He said, "About 30 minutes of exposure and you can have a really bad injury."
OPFD showed the 41 Action News team each piece of the bunker gear that keeps them safe no matter what the temperature. Everything from their necks to wrists are covered because, "To keep warm, obviously the goal is to keep everything covered up," Stringfield said.
