GREENSBORO, N.C. — Winter weather can make all of our lives more complicated, but especially the lives of first responders.  

The National Fire Protection Association stated that out of almost 65,000 firefighter injuries in 2020, falls, jumps, slips and trips were responsible for 21% of them. Greensboro Fire Department battalion chief Dan Jones said ice doesn’t help matters.  

“Everything’s harder to do in cold weather … your body just moves slower. When you start factoring in things like snow and sleet and ice and things like that, it slows us down in our response,” Jones said.  

As all Southern drivers know, cold weather can make things difficult before they even arrive at a fire.  

“Traffic’s an issue when we have snow and ice,” Jones said. “So them … people being mindful of our travel, and also when there’s travel advisories in, people staying inside when they can.”  

The Greensboro Fire Department asks residents to use approved safe heating sources, ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working and to watch for emergency vehicles on the road during the winter months.