Area fire fighters are ready for the call - KOAM TV 7

4th of July activities mean getting outside and spending time with family, but for some the holiday is taken more seriously.

With dry heat and high winds fires can spread quickly, and while some prepare for the holiday festivities, others stand ready in case of an emergency.

Fire fighters at the Reddings Mill Fire Department stand ready to go 24/7 and with residents setting off fire works tonight extra fire fighters are on call just in case of an emergency.

Michael Banes is a senior engineer for the Reddings Mill Fire Department and says he knows the importance of being ready for a call.

"It's a rush for all of us, emotionally and just to get out the door," says Banes.

Banes and Captain Brian Powell work together putting out their first grass fire of the shift on Wednesday, that spread across a field in northern Newton County.

"Plus, when the humidity drops down like it has been for the last week or two, the fire moves much faster, makes it harder for us to get the fire under control and knocked down," says Captain Powell.

Part of being prepared means getting the gear out and ready to go and having the doors of the trucks open, so they can respond within 60 seconds of an emergency call.

"The trucks are also set in a sense that there is a preconnected hose, the trucks are all laid out the same so axes and tools are all in the same place so that as volunteers come into assist, they know where everything is at," says Banes.

Station vehicles like a brush truck can carry 200 gallons of water or more.  But Banes says that when mixing fireworks and the dry heat, you can never be too safe.

"You should obviously be extremely cautious," says Barnes.  "It is tender, dry out there and won't take much to get anything going."

"You have to be careful with any type of ignitable item that you've got," says Captain Powell.

The fire department wanted me to remind everyone to have a fun safe holiday and to always keep a hose, bucket of water and phone close by just in case.