Plano, Texas – In a 24-hour period beginning at noon on Tuesday, Plano Fire-Rescue experienced an overwhelming surge in emergency calls, a situation that only intensified into Wednesday. The cold snap hitting the Metroplex has put significant pressure on various fire departments, including Plano’s, leading to a drastic increase in the number of calls for assistance.
Lt. Daniel Daly of Plano Fire-Rescue reported an astonishing rate of emergency calls. “We had 50 calls in 2 hours,” he said, highlighting the intensity of the situation. The department had to engage all hands on deck to cope with the influx of emergencies, ranging from house fires to other cold weather-related incidents. One such call was to a house fire where the structure partially collapsed, resulting in minor injuries to a firefighter. This incident is just one among many that illustrate the challenges faced by fire departments during this extreme weather.
The cold snap has been brutal, with temperatures plummeting into the teens, which Daly notes as a significant factor contributing to the spike in emergencies. Fire departments across the Metroplex, including in Fort Worth, Arlington, Dallas, and Colleyville, have been stretched thin responding to various incidents. In Fort Worth, a fire captain had a narrow escape from a burning building, while in Arlington, firefighters had to find alternatives when a hydrant froze as they battled a blaze.
The situation in Dallas also presented hardships, with several fire stations lacking heat amidst the sub-freezing temperatures. Additionally, Colleyville firefighters were called to a house fire on Wednesday, further demonstrating the widespread impact of the cold weather.
Initially, the freeze led to a high number of calls for EMS, carbon monoxide incidents, and fires likely sparked by attempts to stay warm. However, as temperatures begin to rise, a new set of challenges has emerged. Daly pointed out issues like frozen and bursting pipes, leading to unwanted water flow. This thaw is revealing a different set of problems, from minor issues in homes to significant incidents like the water main break off Pearl Street in Downtown Dallas.
As North Texas begins to recover from the freeze, firefighters like those in Plano Fire-Rescue continue to address a wide array of emergencies, underscoring their vital role in ensuring public safety during extreme weather conditions.
