Warren County fire chiefs meet in preparation for record weather

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Fire Boss Jerry Briggs called a noon preparatory meeting of Warren County fire chiefs at the Culkin fire station. The chiefs discussed how best to approach the unprecedented next two days of wintery weather.

In 1987, thirty structural fires were reported during the last ice storm of this magnitude due to people losing power.

Officials are urging people to plan for widespread power outages, and they suggest going to a relative or neighbor’s home with gas-powered heat if at all possible.

Entergy crews will not be able to begin work until the danger has passed, so people should be prepared to be without electricity for up to several days.

According to the National Weather Service Vicksburg residents should anticipate power outages, tree damage due to the ice and “travel could be nearly impossible.”

These conditions mean heavy equipment like fire trucks carrying 1200 gallons of water will be extremely dangerous to drive.

With temperatures dropping to possibly below 5 degrees, it also means hypothermia is a real threat to any first responder having to work an event in the elements.

Fire Boss Briggs, along with every fire chief, law enforcement officer, tow truck driver,  EMT and all other first responders are encouraging everyone to stay off the roads if at all possible and take every precaution to keep citizens safe.