Bell Ambulance opens hydration station for crews to cool off in between calls

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Emergency crews are making sure they stay cool in the heat so they can help anyone in need.

On Friday, Bell Ambulance opened a hydration station for workers at Station 1. They were handing out water, fruit and food provided by Jersey Mike's. 

Emergency responders say they're ready to help anyone impacted by the heat. The ambulances are stocked with water for patients and the crew. With the job, leaders say sometimes it is hard to avoid the heat and that's why it's important they stay cool when they can.

"This is actually a pretty physical job," Bell Ambulance deputy director of operations Jason Flegner said. "It involves a lot of lifting and we're often outside where it's not air conditioned and we're in a lot of confined areas where it's pretty darn warm. So, we're just trying to give our people a little bit of downtime to cool off."

Bell Ambulance says crews have been responding to several heat-related calls this week and expect more on Friday.