South Bend Police encouraging first responders to prioritize health through heat wave

SOUTH BEND, Ind.- With soaring temperatures this week in Michiana, first responders are one of the at-risk groups for heat exhaustion and South Bend Police are urging their officers to take care of themselves so they can best service the community.    

“As they're servicing calls for the community, if they need a break to get out of the heat, we ask that they come back to the station a few more times to make sure they get their body temperature down, stay hydrated, making sure they take care of themselves,” said Capt. Tomar Thomas.  

South Bend Police are also urging the community to look after each other. 

“It's all about the community being neighborly, we want to make sure you are reaching out to keep an eye on your neighbors, if they need any distress, assistance finding a cooling center here in the city of south bend, be neighborly,” said Capt. Tomar Thomas.  

South Bend Fire Department, Suzie Krill breaks down how firefighters cool off after coming back from a blaze.  

“Come out from the fire, we’ll take off our jackets, we’ll possibly go into the city bus, they’ll have some air conditioning on to help us stay cool and then well go to rehab take vitals, pulse, blood pressure, things like that, drink plenty of fluids while we are sitting out,” said Krill.  

And even with this heat, Krill says public safety is their main priority as first responders.