This week's extreme heat has many Long Islanders looking for ways to beat the heat with feels-like temperatures expected near 100 degrees.

The heat is especially dangerous for firefighters who have to wear 80 pounds of equipment while responding to emergencies.

The Nassau County Office of Emergency Management has special equipment for firefighters. First responders also have their heart rate and blood pressure monitored to make sure they are not getting overheated.

"Firefighting is a very strenuous and physically intense activity on a normal day - but then adding to the fact that there is high heat, humidity, a day like today and then you really start to have some problems," says Chris Airey, director of Nassau County Police Department Ambulance Bureau.

Doctors say signs of heat exhaustion include feeling faint or dizzy, excessive sweating, nausea or vomiting, cool, pale or clammy skin, rapid pulse and muscle cramps.

Doctors say heat stroke could be life-threatening. Symptoms of that are confusion and an altered mental status.

To try and prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke, physicians advise people to drink plenty of fluids, take a cool shower, avoid the sun from 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., avoid extreme exercise and wear light clothing.

MORE: News 12 Forecast