City Of Fort Worth: MedStar Responding To Increasing Calls Due To Dangerous Heat

Press release from City of Fort Worth:

July 28, 2021

As temperatures rise, heat-related illness becomes a real threat, especially for vulnerable people like seniors and those experiencing homelessness and poverty.

MedStar crews treated nine patients on Tuesday with a primary clinical impression of a heat-related illness; six were transported to area hospitals and two remain in serious condition.

MedStar has activated its extreme weather response procedure for four consecutive days due to a heat index at or above 105 degrees. Under this procedure, MedStar upgrades the priority of the response for patients located outside in an unprotected area to limit the patient and responders from exposure to extreme heat.

The heat and poor air quality are combining to make the outdoor environment difficult for children, the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. MedStar encourages all North Texans to limit their time outdoors if possible.

Residents who lack adequate cooling in their homes are invited to drop in at a Fort Worth Public Library branch or a community center during regular business hours to enjoy the air conditioning.

The Salvation Army of North Texas will be providing bottled water and portable fans at its cooling centers to combat high-heat exposure. Some locations will have outdoor cooling stations, while others are providing supplies such as boxed fans and bottled water as part of the food pantry service.

The closest location to Fort Worth is at 712 W. Abram St. in Arlington. It is an indoor cooling station and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Photo: MedStar ambulances are built for the Texas heat. They have three air conditioners: one for the cab and two for the patient/crew compartment.

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This press release was produced by City of Fort Worth. The views expressed here are the author’s own.