When it comes to fires and the risk they pose, you typically think of burns or smoke inhalation, but the cold conditions we've seen this week present another challenge for firefighters.

Harrisonburg Fire Chief Larry Shifflet said that one thing they have to be concerned about this time of the year is the well being of the fire fighters in the cold.

The major issue is when firefighters go inside an extremely hot building with a lot of gear on, sweating and covered in water. Then, coming out into low temperatures like this which causes a shock to the system.

"Everything we wear is virtually waterproof,” said Greg Coffman, Harrisonburg Firefighter.

Coffman is a Master Firefighter. He has been with the city of Harrisonburg for sixteen years, but a volunteer since he was a teenager. He says the gear has come along way since then.

"Water will not penetrate this. And underneath this it has a moisture barrier to wick moisture away from our body. It works to a certain extent, but when you are really working hard and you are sweating a lot...you're gonna get wet and then your going to get cold," said Coffman.

Their gear does not have any cotton. However, parts of their uniform underneath are made of cotton and polyester which holds moisture and can be dangerous when they come outside after fighting the fire inside.

"And then they come outside and get into temperatures like we had yesterday and like we have today to the extremely cold weather and it's a shock to the system and we've got to address that,” said Larry Shifflett, Harrisonburg Fire Chief.

They set up a rest and recuperation area for firefighters to get them into a neutral atmosphere where their bodies can gradually cool down and then warm up.

Typically these are inside the cab of the fire truck or station vehicles, but for major fires the city will bring buses in to hold more people.

The Fire Department used this system yesterday during the pile-up on I-81.

Firefighters took the time to warm up inside so they could safely go back out to finish their job.

The firefighters were needed in their best shape yesterday.

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