Phoenix Fire responds to 1,200 heat-related calls, using new tactics

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — As Phoenix’s record heat wave continues, more than 300 people have died in Maricopa County, with another 353 under investigation.

Phoenix Fire says it responds to about 10 heat-related calls a day and is deploying new tactics to help.

It’s been a hot and busy summer for Valley fire crews. Phoenix Fire says from May through Sept. 1, firefighters have responded to 1,245 heat-related calls.

This summer, Phoenix Fire is utilizing a new tool to help patients on heat-related calls. They are now bringing rapid cooling bags on every single call with them.

They will put both ice and the patient inside a blue bag and are seeing success in cooling people down quickly before getting to the hospital.

“We have seen a 50% increase in cooling rather than our previous methods and we’ve gotten to the hospital where these patients have been altered and temps of 106-107, and now they’re at 102 and answering all our questions,” Phoenix Fire Capt. Todd Keller said.

Keller says fire crews have used these bags close to 300 times from May through Sept. 1.

“It’s been very advantageous to have this utility on our trucks,” Keller said.

At this point of the year, Arizona usually gets its seasonal travelers looking for better weather but since we are entering such a hot October, Keller says people should not let their guard down.

As a reminder, trails on Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak close on days an excessive heat warning is issued, meaning they are closed this week through Friday.

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