By Gretyl Macalaster
The Union Leader Correspondent
AUBURN, N.H. — New Hampshire’s heat wave did not stop people from visiting parks along Lake Massabesic, and members of the local fire department were there to make sure visitors stayed hydrated.
Firefighter Jim Saulnier, Fire Chief Bruce Phillips and his son passed out bottles of water and warned residents not to spend too much time in the heat.
“It’s not too hot, especially with the free water,” Diana Dube of Allenstown said. “We tried to get them to go get us ice cream, but it didn’t work.”
Dube and three friends meet at Lake Massabesic each year to catch up.
Many others were also enjoying the sunshine. Within 20 minutes, the firefighters had passed out 50 bottles of water.
“People come to sit and enjoy the breeze off the lake. We want to make sure they stay hydrated and take as many precautions as possible,” Phillips said.
Since the heat wave hit, firefighters have been checking on elderly residents and shut-ins to make sure people are staying cool and hydrated.
“It is also a lot of inside work. Staying hydrated and packing Igloo coolers with Gatorade in the event we do have a call,” Saulnier said.
Saulnier said there have been no shortage of brush fires, but so far, nothing major.
“It is pretty quiet out there today. People are going to local cooling centers or finding a lake they can actually swim in,” Saulnier said.
Lake Massabesic is the city of Manchester’s water supply and swimming is not permitted.
Saulnier said as long as the temperatures stay high, they will be out checking on and assisting residents.
Copyright 2010 Union Leader Corp.
All Rights Reserved