Columbia Fire Department responds to five calls for extreme heat over weekend
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Local first responders have responded to multiple heat-related service calls since Friday.
The Columbia Fire Department told ABC 17 News on Tuesday that firefighters have responded to five calls. Cole County EMS said on Monday it had responded to three heat-related calls.
“Folks are out there doing yard work, hottest time of the day, they’re not drinking enough water, not even enough food, they start to feel faint and everything,” CFD spokesperson Katherine Rodriguez said. “That’s when we come in and we try to get that person feeling better.”
Boone County Fire Protection District also posted a warning of heat-related illness as Mid-Missouri faces a summer heatwave.
The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather team is forecasting temperatures to feel like 100 degrees on Wednesday.
The Mayo Clinic found that heat-related illness can take effect within 15 minutes, with common symptoms including nausea, a high heart rate and feeling faint or dizzy. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should drink water and seek shelter indoors.
Heat stroke, which can be fatal, also includes symptoms of a high body temperature more than 100 degrees, no sweating and a headache. EMS should be called immediately, and the person should be moved to a cooler area until help arrives.
Rodriguez added the dangers often don’t stop at heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
“This extreme heat can play a huge contributing factor to a lot of our incidents, especially our cardiac events or respiratory issues,” Rodriguez said.
It’s also recommended to wear a hat and light clothing, drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen to avoid sunburn.
Columbia resident and mom Brandi Elmahdawi suggested ways she got creative to keep her children hydrated.
“Fruit is great and popsicles, I also do popsicles to keep cool,” Elmahdawi said.
Young child Londyn Millergave gave other options to stay cool.
“Probably go to the waterpark and get in the water, and drink slushies,” Millergrave said.