EmergencyNet News Service
Emergency Response & Research Institute
6348 N. Milwaukee, Suite 312, Chicago, IL 60646
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1430CDT
Contact: Steve Macko, Managing Editor
Phone: (773) 631-ERRI (3774)
FAX: (773) 631-4703
Internet:
webmaster@emergency.com
Chicago, IL, July 13,1995 -- With the temperatures and humidity at dangerous levels, the air quality diminishing, and no end in sight in some parts of the country, the Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI) is urging extreme caution for persons with cardiac and respiratory problems. According to Clark Staten, director of the Chicago-based emergency service think-tank, the recent heat wave has already resulted in the untimely deaths of several people in the Midwest and Southwestern part of the United States and more heat injuries or even deaths can be expected.
"The conditions are ideal for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke", the veteran (retired) paramedic said in an interview today. "This is the kind of weather that is dangerous to the elderly, children, and those that have diseases that prevent them from regulating heat well", he continued. "People with cardiac, respiratory, diabetic, asthmatic, and seizure problems should be warned to use extreme caution when exposed to this type of hot weather...it can aggravate their condition and even result in death", Staten added. "We would suggest that people with these conditions remain indoors in the air conditioning or even (if necessary) move to 'cooling centers' that have been established by many municipalities", he continued. "Even those that don't have a pre-existing medical condition can easily be affected by this type of heat and high humidity...they should take some simple precautions to prevent the onset of heat injuries", Staten concluded.
According to ERRI, during the heat wave, people should:
Staten also listed some of the signs and symptoms, of heat injuries, that can strike people during a heat wave. In order of seriousness, they include:
Heat Cramps - Muscle pains caused by a build-up of acid compounds and an excessive loss of fluids in large muscles
Signs & Symptoms - Cramps in legs or stomach area
TREATMENT:
# Remove the patient to a cooler environment
# Rest the cramping muscles, sit or lie down
# Replace fluids by mouth, use cool water or commercial electrolyte solutions
# If the cramps do not subside, the patient should be taken to medical care
Heat Exhaustion - Often called heat prostration or heat collapse, is a serious heat illness. It occurs when the body loses large amounts of water and electrolytes
Signs & Symptoms - Cool, clammy(sweaty)skin, dizziness,feeling faint, nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, feels weak or "bad"
TREATMENT:
# Move the patient to a cooler environment
# Loosen tight or restrictive clothing or remove excessive layers of clothing
# If the patient is conscious, give up to a liter of cool water or commercial electrolyte replacing fluids. Do not give fluids by mouth to a patient who can't hold the cup themselves. Never force fluids on a patient who is not alert, they could choke and aspirate the fluids.
# In most cases, the patient ill recover on his/her own after fluid replacement and exposure to cooler temperatures. If not, or if a diminishing of his/her level of consciousness occurs, 911 must be called and EMT/Paramedics will start an intravenous line (I.V.) and replace fluids internally.
# Unconsciousness, or a decreasing level thereof is reason enough to call 911. Always err on the side of safety and care for the patient in question.
Heat Stroke - Heat stroke is a true medical emergency! It occurs when a patient that has suffered heat exhaustion does not receive treatment and is continually exposed to additional heat. Typical examples of heat stroke victims include elderly people who live in buildings without fans or air conditioning during heat waves, and children that are left in locked cars on a hot days. Humidity seems to contribute to the likelihood of both heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Signs & Symptoms: Hot & dry skin, lack of perspiration, excessive body temperature, lessening consciousness or total unconsciousness, strong rapid pulse diminishing and weaker as becomes unresponsive, imminent death if left untreated
TREATMENT:
# Call 911; request Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
# Immediately and rapidly move the patient to a cooler environment; preferably air conditioning
# Remove the patient's clothing and cover him/her with a sheet or towel soaked in cool water
# If EMT/Paramedic services are delayed or not immediately available, ice packs can be applied to the patient's abdomen, armpits, and behind the neck
# The patient will need intravenous (I.V.) fluids and extensive cooling measures to ensure survival. Hospital treatment will include reducing the body temperature by whatever means are necessary.
# IMPORTANT!! -- If in any doubt about any of the above signs, symptoms, or treatments...contact a physician expeditiously. None of these comments are intended to provide medical advice...contact your local physician or emergency room for specific instructions concerning heat emergencies...
Staten concluded by urging everyone to check on elderly neighbors and watch the activity of children during the remainder of this heat wave. He added that by being educated citizens will be better prepared to prevent heat injuries and care for family and friends that have suffered it's ill effects.
(Begin excerpt) Chicago, IL, July 13,1995 -- With the temperatures and humidity at dangerous levels, the air quality diminishing, and no end in sight in some parts of the country, the Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI) is urging extreme caution for persons with cardiac and respiratory problems. According to Clark Staten, director of the Chicago-based emergency service think-tank, the recent heat wave has already resulted in the untimely deaths of several people in the Midwest and Southwestern part of the United States and more heat injuries or even deaths can be expected.
"The conditions are ideal for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke", the veteran (retired) paramedic said in an interview today. "This is the kind of weather that is dangerous to the elderly, children, and those that have diseases that prevent them from regulating heat well", he continued. "People with cardiac, respiratory, diabetic, asthmatic, and seizure problems should be warned to use extreme caution when exposed to this type of hot weather...it can aggravate their condition and even result in death", Staten added. "We would suggest that people with these conditions remain indoors in the air conditioning or even (if necessary) move to 'cooling centers' that have been established by many municipalities", he continued. "Even those that don't have a pre-existing medical condition can easily be affected by this type of heat and high humidity...they should take some simple precautions to prevent the onset of heat injuries", Staten concluded. (end excerpt)
According to Macko, the article went on to outline a variety of recognition factors, precautions and prevention methods, as well as to offer basic treatment methods. Macko said that the full text of the warning was distributed by fax to several Chicago newspapers, news radio stations, TV stations, and distributed to other national media outlets and a number of emergency agencies, by means of the Internet.
Macko said that he was surprised that the ERRI warnings received very little attention from the national press, and that ERRI didn't receive any inquiries about the heat emergency, or the Institute's recommendations, until late Saturday. By then, he said that the heat emergency had turned into a "full blown disaster".
Macko continued by saying that ERRI had been following the progress of the weather system, that caused the temperature to soar to over 100 degrees for several days, and had received reports of heat related injuries and deaths to both people and livestock, in Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and other Western states. These deaths prompted ERRI to interview several experts, who had treated hundreds of heat-related injuries in the past. The resulting interview, with ERRI's executive director, was then released at the start of the "heat wave" in Chicago.
Macko concluded by saying that the Emergency Response & Research Institute studies a variety of disaster and emergency service issues, and provides both analysis, commentary, and consulting services to both the media and a number of emergency service leaders. Macko said that members of the press, government officials, and emergency service managers are invited to contact ERRI.
Chicago, IL, July 18, 1995 --The City of Chicago's most senior African-American Paramedic reportedly resigned his appointed rank today, as the result of the fire department's management of the recent Chicago heat wave, that has claimed as many as 400 lives. Sources close to the fire department say that Deputy Chief Paramedic Robert Scates, a 25 year veteran, and one of the city's first black paramedics, has reportedly submitted a request to be demoted to his career service rank and relinquish supervision of all paramedics on Chicago's Southside. Scates will then, reportedly, assume "other duties" within the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.
Scates is said to be angry over "differences in management styles" between he and other members of the senior management of the fire department. Primarily, he is allegedly "upset" at a lack of planning and sufficient resources to meet the needs of both citizens and paramedics during the devastating heat-wave that killed hundreds of senior citizens in Chicago. As Deputy Chief Paramedic, Scates was responsible for all emergency medical care needs of Chicagoans living South of 22nd street.
In a related story, another Chicago Paramedic, Robert Raica, who is also a Illinois State Senator, has called for public hearings in regard to the Chicago heat emergency. Sen. Raica is quoted as saying that he has some "serious questions" about the management of the heat-wave and what sort of plans and resources should be made available for future disasters. Dates have not been announced for an examination of these issues, but Sen. Raica said that he expected that information to be available soon.
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has said that he will soon establish a "blue ribbon commission" of experts to examine all of the issues surrounding what is being called a "disaster of unprecedented proportions". Daley said that he and his staff will do "everything in their power" to prevent another occurrence of this type and magnitude. Daley and his staff have been receiving criticism from the Chicago Firefighter's Union and several senior citizen's organizations, for the city's response to the heat emergency.
Cook County Medical Examiner Edmund Donoghue said that as of 5:00p.m. today that the death toll in Cook county has risen to 376, and that he expects it to continue to rise, to more than 400, as his investigators and pathologists complete their backlog of cases. Donoghue said that the examiner's office may have as many as 110 more bodies to examine and determine a cause of death.
Ambulances, hearses, and police patrol wagons are still
reportedly "backed up", at this hour, for more than a block, in
an area near the Medical Examiner's Office, and some police
officers there said that they fear that they will find
additional deteriorating bodies in closed apartments and homes
in the Chicago area.