{"id":2111,"date":"2019-08-06T19:45:47","date_gmt":"2019-08-06T19:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.websitepreview.dev\/?p=2111"},"modified":"2021-04-08T12:40:25","modified_gmt":"2021-04-08T17:40:25","slug":"fire-apparatus-air-conditioner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/fire-apparatus-air-conditioner\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Your Fire Apparatus Air Conditioner Ready for the Summer?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The hottest days of the summer are still yet to come, and the need for good air conditioning in your fire apparatus will be even more apparent. When fire trucks became fully enclosed vehicles, they quickly became nearly inoperable in the heat. Without air conditioners, it would be impossible for a firefighter to go into a burning building and return to a vehicle with no air without getting a heat-related illness. <\/span><\/p>\n

As we venture into the dog days of summer, it\u2019s vital to make sure your air conditioner is ready to go. Let\u2019s discuss what you can do to keep your AC operating and what can happen if your AC isn\u2019t working. <\/span><\/p>\n

How can I keep the AC operating? <\/span><\/h2>\n

Your first priority should be to keep your air conditioning running for as long as possible. This requires that you perform regular maintenance. Each year during your preventive maintenance check, your maintenance tech should tell you how your AC is currently performing. If your air conditioner is lagging, it may require you to replace certain components, or it may require you to replace the air conditioner entirely. Air conditioners are pieces of equipment that you don\u2019t want to skimp on, as to do so would be a health hazard. <\/span><\/p>\n

We suggest performing an AC check in March-April before it gets too hot. If you choose to wait until it\u2019s 90 degrees outside, you could be putting your firefighters at risk. Even worse, you may have to take the apparatus out of commission entirely until the air conditioning is fixed. By starting your preventive maintenance earlier, you can avoid any issues that may arise with your AC. <\/span><\/p>\n

What are the risks of excessive heat? <\/span><\/h2>\n

Firefighters are among those at the most risk for getting a heat-related illness due to the nature of their job. Between being near fires and wearing a large amount of protective equipment, it\u2019s common for firefighters to show signs of: <\/span><\/p>\n