The Frigid Weather On Set Of Chicago Fire Proves To Be Quite A Challenge Of Using Medical Equipment
"Chicago Fire" has been answering the call for gripping, primetime entertainment for more than a decade on NBC. The series follows first responders as they navigate their personal lives while fighting to save the lives of others in the city of Chicago. The successful series has spawned two spin-offs in the One Chicago universe, "Chicago Med" and "Chicago P.D."
According to NBC, Season 11 finds team members still reeling from significant events, including the tragic death of Evan Hawkins (Jimmy Nicholas), who was killed while rescuing a person from a burning building. While in the aftermath of their devastating loss, the paramedics and firefighters of the Windy City continue to suit up, helping any citizen who is in need.
And before they bring these heroic stories to the small screen, the "Chicago Fire" cast has undergone training to learn what it takes to be firefighters and paramedics. In a video on the One Chicago YouTube channel, Miranda Rae Mayo and Kara Killmer each attended the Fire College program at the Illinois Fire Service Institute. Obviously, firefighters and paramedics use a lot of equipment while responding to emergencies. Yet, the cast of "Chicago Fire" find one thing to be very challenging when handling medical equipment on set.
The tricky equipment switches that are even more challenging in the colder temperatures
According to Choose Chicago, "Chicago Fire" is filmed in the Windy City. As its nickname mentions, Chicago is not known for its warmth. And cast members Miranda Rae Mayo, Kara Kilmer, and Hanako Greensmith recently talked about how the frigid temperatures make handling equipment a challenge. In an interview on the One Chicago YouTube channel, Killmer said, "There's a lot of cowboy switches with all of our medical supplies, which can also get tricky once it turns cold because your fingers are like, [hmmm]. Good luck." According to the video, a "cowboy switch" is "an invisible switcheroo while the camera is still rolling."
When it comes to the toughest piece of medical equipment to use in general, Greensmith has admitted that the IV can give her trouble occasionally, adding that she has caught herself missing a step now and then. While they continue to learn the ropes, Greensmith said that real-life paramedics come to set, helping the actors in any way they can.