Sunland Park Fire Department prepares for rattlesnake season

SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (KVIA) -- With hiking season around the corner, a certain cold-blooded and venomous reptile will become more prominent in the region. In just the past two weeks, the Sunland Park Fire Department has responded to two rattlesnake bite incidents.

Chief Daniel Medrano of the Sunland Park Fire Department, told ABC-7 that rattlesnakes "like to hide under rocks, big rocks. They like to hide under wood piles, tarps. Some of the dog houses, those igloo dog houses they like, they love to hide under there."

Medrano also said that the department is trained and equipped to respond to any calls regarding snake bites.

"We have been trained and we have the equipment to remove rattlesnakes when necessary", said Medrano.

Salvador Baeza, Director of the West Texas Regional Poison Center at University Medical Center, said some of the symptoms include pain, swelling, vomiting, increasing blood pressure, and increasing heart rate.

Both Fire Chief Medrano and Dr. Baeza emphasized that one must not attempt to suck out the poison or put a tourniquet on.

It is recommended to call 911 as every bite has to be seen in the emergency room.