Monroe Ambulance Puts 10-Plus Units on Standby as Extreme Heat Raises July 4 Risks
Updated
Updated · 13WHAM-TV · Jul 3
Monroe Ambulance Puts 10-Plus Units on Standby as Extreme Heat Raises July 4 Risks
2 articles · Updated · 13WHAM-TV · Jul 3
Summary
More than 10 Monroe Ambulance units are on standby for Rochester's July 4 weekend as crews report a recent uptick in heat-related illness calls.
Captain Angelica Fogg said the heat threat is colliding with typical holiday risks including swimming and drowning emergencies, fireworks injuries, and food-related abdominal or chest pain calls.
About 25% of Rochester households lack air conditioning, a factor Monroe says can trigger heat illness indoors as well as outside.
Crews are also adjusting operations for their own safety, shifting to shaded staging spots, rotating overheated ambulances out of service, and using lighter uniforms, water and popsicles.
Health officials urged residents to watch for sweating, dizziness and fatigue, and to take breaks, cool down and hydrate over the holiday weekend.