Fresno first responders prepare for a hot 4th of July

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE ) – As the Central Valley rides out an extreme heat wave first responders have prepared for a double dose of calls this holiday weekend.

Ben Weile, PIO for American Ambulance, says they expect an influx of calls for heat-related illness and the Fourth of July is their busiest time of year.

“We expect our calls for service to go up on this weekend and so this heat only exacerbates that,” Weile said.

They’re prepared for both factors by adding extra crews, offering overtime, and reminding crews to take of themselves.

Weile describes American Ambulance rigs as “first class.” They are equipped with strong air conditioning and refrigerators.

Fresno Fire will also add additional crews for the Fourth of July holiday but maintain constant staffing rates as the Central Valley rides out the rest of the heat wave.

“On incidents that are over 95 degrees, we have what we call heat stress protocols that trigger certain actions that we have to take,” Fresno Fire PIO Josh Sellers said.

Those actions include things like adding extra crews to fire calls for more frequent breaks.

Frequent breaks are important for first responders and anyone whose job requires them to work outside according to Dr. Jessie Werner, M.D., assistant professor of emergency medicine at UCSF.

“People in uniforms, tight heavy uniforms, they’re at risk,” Werner said.

Werner recommends a break every 15 to 20 minutes, drinking cool water every 15 to 20 minutes, and trying to take breaks in a cool dry area.

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