The potential for problems at the fire department is great during the winter.
"Firefighting is hazardous on a warm, clear day," says John Erickson, Director of Public Information for the State Fire Marshal and Indiana Department of Homeland Security. "When you add snow, when you add wind, when you add ice to that mix, it certainly does pose some significant hurdles to fighting fires."
Snow, wind and ice can slow down fire fighters during an emergency and affect the gear they use. Fire hydrants can be inaccessible and the water inside them may freeze.
But Columbus Fire Department Spokesman Captain Mike Wilson says his department has not experienced a tremendous amount of problems so far this year.
"We do carry a hydrant de-thawer, so to speak, and basically what that is is a propane torch that will heat the hydrant and that way we will have access to the much-needed water," Wilson says.
Erickson says community members can also help prevent this problem by clearing the snow around hydrants. If people have a hydrant on or near their property, they could keep it clear of snow and clear a path toward the road.
"That's very, very helpful to fire fighters," he says. "It cuts their response time to be able to get to those hydrants and provide water on a fire."