As Taiwan faces its worst outbreak of COVID-19 yet, firefighters are getting called upon to help transport infected patients. But with the country’s notoriously hot summer months approaching fast, staying cool while wearing full protective gear is becoming a real challenge. Luckily, a fire department in southern Taiwan has come up with a simple solution.
Summer is coming, which means Taiwan is about to get hot and muggy. Offices and workspaces are often well air conditioned, but that’s a luxury not all jobs can offer.
A surge in domestic COVID-19 cases has complicated things for firefighters, with authorities now asking them to help transport COVID patients. The high risk of infection means fire personnel have to wrap themselves in protective gear to keep the disease at bay. The gear is air-tight, meaning firefighters’ body temperature can rise quickly while outdoors. Working with COVID-19 is already nerve-wracking enough without the added risk of overheating.
Thankfully, Tainan City Fire Department has come up with a solution. It’s a simple vest that personnel in the southern city can wear inside their gear. The vest is fitted with pockets which can be lined with cold packs, keeping the wearer nice and cool.
This pandemic has everyone on edge, but for our first responders (on the frontlines), taking heatstroke out of the equation means one less thing to worry about.