While most of us will stay inside and brave the cold temperatures — some have no choice but to be outside in this weather when called. Firefighters have to brave the subzero temperatures and windchills while working with water and in conditions that are often life-threatening. West Des Moines Fire Marshal Mike Whitsel says it’s something they talk about often.

“Whenever we are subject to exposures with weather –whether it’s in the middle of July or in the middle of December and January when it’s extremely cold — we always take time every morning before every shift to remind all the firefighters they you need to take some time to protect yourself,” Whitsel says.

Firefighters are reminded to be sure all gloves and hats are ready to go and don’t have holes. He says they will often wear extra layers of clothes, including long johns and shirts, and will use hand and foot warmer packets. Whitsel says as another precaution, they keep track of the time firefighters are in the cold.

“Our E-M-S crews on these calls will show up on the scene and they’ll run a timer and they start putting our crews through a re-hab process to get us warm periodically — it could be every 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes — whatever the exposure, whether you are cold or not, you go through rehab,” Whitsel explains. He says another factor that sometimes is forgotten in the winter is the need to drink enough water while they are working.

“You can get dehydrated at any time whether it is hot or cold outside,” Whitsel says, “so it’s keeping the liquids inside of you as well. Because if you get dehydrate your body is overcompensating for that and it could subject you to getting frostbite a heck of a lot quicker.” Whitsel says they also have to be careful to maintain their equipment in the cold conditions.

He says the trucks will leak water and they have to be sure they are cycling the pumps out so the water doesn’t freeze and break the trucks. Whitsel says firefighters also keep an eye on each other. If they see a fellow firefighter that looks like they are struggling with the conditions, they work with them to help them out.

(Radio Iowa)

The Technology Association of Iowa is launching a first-in-Iowa podcast highlighting women leaders in the high-tech industry. “Technically Iowa” is a series of interviews hosted by a woman who is already at the forefront of using technology to start a business. Beth Trejo is CEO and founder of the Sioux City-based social media agency Chatterkick. She says the show’s goal is to develop a network of women techies.

Trejo says, “To connect female thought leaders, entrepreneurs, people in technology across the state, and just tell their story, let other people be inspired, be compelled.” She says connecting to a community of people who are doing similar work is critical when starting a technology-related business.

“I’m just always fascinated by what people are doing in the state of Iowa, specifically in technology,” Trejo says. “I love visiting with people and hearing their stories and getting their advice.” Trejo says the podcasts can be downloaded from iTunes by searching for “Technically Iowa.” Two shows have been produced. A total of six will be posted by the end of January. Trejo says she hopes the conversations don’t end there.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Rob Dillard, Iowa Public Radio)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A former Sioux City schoolteacher has been accused of stealing nearly $3,000 from accounts she set up for East High Special Olympics and the Friendship Connection. The Sioux City Journal reports that 48-year-old Melissa Dickerson is charged with theft.

Court documents say Dickerson was an East High School special education teacher in 2013 when she opened the accounts in violation of Sioux City Community School District policies.

Court documents say that, earlier this month, a bank official told district officials that one of the accounts was overdrawn because of a MidAmerican Energy bill in Dickerson’s name. The documents say Dickerson later acknowledged transactions from August 2016 through June that were made for her own personal use.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Powerball ticket sold in Iowa is worth $1 million. Iowa Lottery officials say the ticket matched the first five numbers in Saturday’s drawing, so it earned a $1 million prize even though it fell short of the jackpot. The ticket was sold at a Kum & Go convenience store in Colfax, Iowa.

No one matched all six numbers in Saturday’s drawing, so the jackpot will grow to roughly $440 million for Wednesday.