Heat Wave Hovering Over Greenfield

Greenfield is in the middle of a heat wave, one that could last the entire week.

According to Today’s TMJ4’s forecast, the Milwaukee area is expecting highs approaching 93 degrees today with a heat index breaking 100.

A heat advisory is in effect for Milwaukee County and other area counties until 10 p.m. Monday evening, , one issued when air quality reaches or is expected to reach the unhealthy level for people in sensitive groups including children, elderly people, people with respiratory and cardiac problems or anyone engaged in strenuous outdoor activities. Both advisories are expected to be continued.

In addition, because of the unstable atmosphere, there has now been a severe thunderstorm watch issued for Milwaukee and seven other counties until 3 p.m. this afternoon.

The local impact of the heat

So far, the extreme temperatures have not impacted the city negatively. As of Monday morning, the Greenfield Fire Department had not responded to any heat-related incidents, though Interim Fire Chief Jon Cohn said that could change quickly. He said as each hot day goes by, the compounding effects of the heat add up, as well as the calls.

"People can handle the single or two-day heat waves, except when people try to overexert themselves," Cohn said. "The extended heat waves, that’s when the real problems begin.

"You can get drained one day but a cool front comes through and you bounce back. When it lasts four or five days, you never bounce back. Your fluids are low and you don’t replenish them and they get lower and lower and lower. That’s what’s worrisome about this, it stretching four or five days."

Greenfield Health Director Darren Rausch said his department does not take any specific action during heat waves other than advising people the importance of staying cool.

"We refer people to any place that’s air conditioned," Rausch said. "Fans aren’t as affective and people really need to make sure they’re cool and stay hydrated."

There are no designated “cool zones” – places equipped to care for those who need a break from the heat – in Greenfield, though Rausch said any air-conditioned building can do the trick, such as:

"Not that we want people just sitting at the library all day, but there are certainly places where you can go and cool down," Rausch said.

Rausch also noted that Milwaukee County pools have announced extended hours. He said said his department has not fielded any heat-related calls, at least not yet, and attributed that to the hot days the city experienced last month, when the department issued .

But lack of calls does not mean lack of concern for Rausch.

"My concern is people not taking care of themselves and not checking on neighbors," he said. "Deaths can occur in this kind of heat, so we really stress staying cool and staying hydrated."

Keeping city employees safe

For Cohn, another concern is the safety of fire department personnel. He said crews don’t necessarily prepare much differently during hot stretches as they do during normal conditions, but added department personnel are mindful of the effects of the heat and precautions are in place.

"If someone is out there on a call or on the scene, we have the rig’s AC cranked up and ready to get people out of the elements," Cohn said. "And we keep a more watchful eye on each other, and make sure we’re hydrated."

Cohn added Milwaukee County busses are available as mobile cooling sites for firefighters should they be on a long-lasting call or have to battle a particularly difficult blaze, and that additional resources – either from their own department or neighboring departments – are usually prepared to lend a hand during extreme heat.