Responding to crime and emergencies in severe weather

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Wednesday around 10:15 p.m., in the middle of the storm, there was a shooting on Lombardy Drive in South Bend.  During severe storm season, first responders have to be prepared for it all. Heavy rains, strong winds, tornadoes and they still have to be prepared to respond to crime and life or death situations.  

 

"We can’t be selective about the weather and the calls we’re going to respond to in that weather." explained Mark Catanzarite, South Bend Fire Department Battalion Chief. 

 

 In fact, they tend to get more calls during major storms. 

 

When Mother Nature creates dangerous conditions, emergency responders say their mind set shifts a little.

 

"Personal safety is always paramount so we’re thinking about our safety as we exit the fire truck to make sure there aren’t any blowing debris, power lines down; things that could injure our personnel." said Catanzarite.

 

A good example - on Monday, neighbors on Lombardy say they heard three gunshots. They looked outside to see a man laying in the middle of the street.

 

South Bend fire fighters were some of the first on the scene.

 

Police and fire officials say when responding to a life or death situation in extreme weather,  the key is to move quickly, and get out of the weather as soon as possible.