More first responders at Cole County Fair following extreme temperatures

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The first two days of the Cole County Fair saw six cases of heat-related illnesses.

Chris Pennington, Cole County EMS Training Chief, tells ABC 17 they’ve pulled a crew from a training activity they had planned to have more medical personnel covering the area.

"We were offering 'stop the bleeding' and compressions-only CPR training," Pennington said. "It's really been too hot for folks to to get interested in that. So based upon the the expected larger crowd and the events that are going on tonight, we've actually pulled a crew from that training activity and put another rig in service."

Pennington also says he's seen people paying closer attention Wednesday than the two previous days as the weather alerts have continued to go out.

He recommended hydrating before coming to the fair and drinking lots of water while there to prevent yourself from experiencing heat-related illnesses.

Symptoms of heat-related illness can include dizziness, fatigue and muscle cramps.

Pennington said the fair rides can make symptoms of heat-related illness set in quicker.

"Those rides can cause how those things shift around and can move blood from one into your body to the other," Pennington said. "And so if you're dehydrated, it can exacerbate some of those things. And where you may not normally experience those types of symptoms in this heat, it can absolutely contribute to feeling bad."

According to Pennington there are six total EMS providers overlooking the fairgrounds and most of the law enforcement officers are also trained in first response to assist.

"They're spread out across the fairgrounds from one end to the other. Just making sure that we're blanketed in the area and being available as people need us," Pennington said.

The Cole County Fair runs through Saturday.

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