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Firefighters Battle Heat and Cool Off With Water

Curt Casper

RALSTON (KPTM) – The heat streak continues all across the country and people in Ralston really felt the heat Wednesday as they celebrated the cities' 100^th birthday and Independence Day.

Wednesday was also the Ralston Firefighter Water fight. Rich Smith and firefighters from the Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department sat in the shade during the parade.

"Yes we are cheating in the shade here, after a while we will be out there on the main street and it will get hot," Smith said.

Smith has been competing in firefights for the last 20 years. But this year's tug-a-war had an extra challenge; it was going to be hot.

"We have our coolers and got water, there is some pop in there and that is what we want to do, stay hydrated in the heat like today," he said.

Though 100-degree temperatures weren't going to stop them from trying to win the competition. Smith tells Fox 42 these challenges help them prepare to fight fires and save lives.

"It helps a lot, you learn how to handle a hose, it takes a lot of energy and effort and strength to handle most of the time."