South Gulf Fire Rescue

Firefighters and Dehydration

Imagine pulling on 50 plus pounds of firefighting bunker gear, grab 200 feet of fire attack hose( 70 pounds per 50 feet when fully charged with water. Then kick a door in and search multiple stories of a burning structure looking for someone trapped. Add the outside environment temperature such as today ( mid 80’s, 80% humidity). These are some of the difficulties firefighters face each day. One of the risks firefighters face is the possibility of dehydration. Studies show that firefighters can lose up to 1 % of their total body weight due to dehydration at a structure fire. Studies also show that when you compare dehydration risk to firefighters and athletes there is a significant difference. Typically athletic activity leads to a water loss of between 8-16 ounces per hour, whereas firefighters lose 50-70 ounces fluid in 30-45 minutes. To combat the stress and metabolic issues caused by the possibility of dehydration SGFR has a team of medical professionals that have formed a SGFR Rehab Team. This team is responsible for setting up and receiving hot, tired firefighters, medically evaluate, cool their core body temperatures, rehydrate them, medically assess them a second time. The Rehab team consists of 1 EMS/ Rehab Lieutenant, 1 Nationally Registered EMT, 2 Registered Nurses. SGFR continues to strengthen it’s staff and abilities to protect not only the citizens and visitors of our district, but it’s firefighters also. Thanks to the following..

EMS Lieutenant Jennifer Mobley
NREMT Terry Wolf
RN Cindy Wolf
RN Angie Chevalier

Thanks
Chief Mike

STAY SAFE

6/16/2026: Flags today for north St. Joseph Peninsula (which for this purpose begins at the south end of the rock revetment and continues northward), including William J “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area and T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, are RED.

Flags today for south St. Joseph Peninsula (which for this purpose begins at the Eglin property and continues southward) and Indian Pass are YELLOW.