Bitterly cold temperatures are taking over central Illinois.

NewsChannel 20's caught up with how the cold's been creating some challenges to local fire departments.

We're just steps outside the front door of the station here in Springfield...and will be going right back in when this story is over.

Firefighters, however, don't have that option.

From snow covered hydrants to freezing temperatures, the Springfield Fire Department prepares for the worst.

"We're putting water on the fire. And so, we're basically creating a blanket of ice as we go...moving things and picking up later in the fire because once those lines stop flowing water, they will freeze up. So we spend hours thawing out those hose lines,” Fire Chief for the Springfield Fire Department Ed Canny said.

Chief Ed Canny said the fire department takes precautions to keep their firefighters warm--like SMTD providing warming buses.

And although freezing temps don't always impact the actual dousing of a fire, Chatham Fire Department Chief Gary Self said it can slow firefighters down.

"Obviously working in the cold makes things slower, you have extended times to get on scene, you have water supply issues, you have slips, trips and falls,” Self said.

Self said the Chatham Fire Department calls in extra manpower to combat the weather. He said having alternative water sources on scene can make a difference.

"And so, in firefighting, you know we do adapt to things. But it's a combined effort of a lot of people to make sure that everything comes back to a safe environment,” Canny said.

Water will often freeze on the firefighter's gear. While that makes it harder to move around, Canny said it also provides a layer of insulation to act as a wind brace.

Red Cross said they've responded to seven home fires across central Illinois--one of which is southern-- just this past week.

Red Cross is reminding people to test their smoke alarms monthly. They said to create--and practice-- a home fire escape plan.