Record-Breaking Heat Wave Puts Phoenix Lives at Risk – Fire Crews on the Frontline
The blistering heat wave gripping Phoenix has pushed temperatures to historic highs, leaving emergency crews scrambling to save lives.
On 7 August, the city baked in a sweltering 118°F (48°C), a new record, fuelling a surge in heat-related emergencies. Just a day later, FOX 10’s Lindsey Ragas joined Phoenix firefighters as they battled the brutal reality on the ground.
The first emergency of the day struck shortly before 4:30pm. A man experiencing homelessness, weak and cramping, had sought shelter inside a pizza restaurant.
“He stated he had been out in the heat for the last couple of days,” Phoenix Fire Capt. Jerome Adams said. He was swiftly taken to the hospital for treatment.
Minutes later, another urgent call came in. This time, it was Steele Indian School Park. A passer-by had spotted a man lying on the ground and dialled 911. The man was breathing at first. But by the time firefighters arrived, his condition had collapsed into cardiac arrest.
“We have a device called a LUCAS device, which is our automatic CPR machine,” Phoenix Fire Capt. DJ Lee explained.
The crew worked frantically – resuscitation, cooling measures, and a cold immersion bag. His body temperature had soared past 104°F (40°C). He wasn’t breathing when transported to the hospital.
“They are a lot more common than we like,” Lee admitted. “Unfortunately, we do get quite a few of those. And sometimes, we get the really worst outcomes.”
The numbers paint a grim picture. Since 1 May, the Phoenix Fire Department has responded to over 130 heat-related incidents, with cold water immersion treatments deployed more than 85 times.
This summer’s heat wave has turned Phoenix into a furnace. For many, it’s uncomfortable. For some, it’s deadly. And for firefighters, it’s become a race against the clock.
