Northwest Arkansas firework stand workers endure extreme heat conditions

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Firework stand employees sleep in excessive heat conditions to avoid theft and one worker says hydration is key.

Richard Noches traveled almost 250 miles to volunteer for Kansas City International Church. Noches came to Fayetteville from Kansas in late June to help sell fireworks for the TNT Fireworks stand.

“We’re doing a fundraiser for our church, and we do it every year,” said Noches. He has been at the fireworks stand off Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard for eight straight days.

He says that he has been out selling fireworks to customers every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Noches said it’s been very hot and very humid.

Noches says this is a sacrifice that means something far greater for his church, and the excessive heat is one of those sacrifices.

Chris Lawler is an EMT with the Fayetteville Fire Department. He says his department receives a lot of calls about heat strokes and heat cramps around this time of the year.

“A lot of our calls this time of year revolve around heat exhaustion and heat-related illness,” said Lawler.

Despite the dangers of the excessive heat, Noches is sacrificing air-conditioned comfort, spending his nights on a cot in the middle of the firework stand.

“We have a cot, so we can try to sleep as comfortable as possible. We just make sure the walls around the tent are tied up as much as possible,” said Noches.

As we approach the Fourth of July holiday, the Fayetteville Fire Department wants to make sure you are drinking water and hydrating. It says if you are profusely sweating, it’s best to try to sip on water and spend some time in a cool area.

“It’s best to call us, get to a cooler place. If you do lose consciousness, get to shade and get to a cooler environment” said Lawler.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.