The USFA recommends establishing a rehabilitation operation when the wind chill factor drops to _____ or lower.

• A. 10ºF (-12ºC)
• B. 15ºF (-9ºC)
• C. 20ºF (-7ºC)
• D. 25ºF (-4ºC)

Answer: (A)

Wind chill shows how cold it really feels when wind is factored in. In firefighting, heat is produced by exertion and heat is also lost to wet gear and outdoor exposure. When the wind chill hits about 10°F or lower, heat loss can outpace the body's ability to stay warm, increasing the risk of hypothermia, frostbite, dehydration, and impaired coordination or judgment. Establishing a rehabilitation operation at this point gives crews a safe place to rest, rewarm, dry off, hydrate, and be medically monitored before returning to work. The higher wind chill values (warmer conditions) carry a lower immediate risk, so the formal rehab threshold is set at the colder end to protect health and performance.