By Marlo Spritzer, Steve Caswell, and Debbie Glenn
PHOENIX (RI) - Phoenicians are used to temperatures above 100 degrees for days and weeks in a row, particularly in the summer. Unfortunately, tourists from humid climates often have trouble handling Phoenix's dry summer heat. Lack of hydration keeps local firefighters busy responding to heat-related incidents.
"It's been unusually warm this year," said firefighters Don Simons. "We made two saves in an hour."
Simons and the other firefighters from Engine 9 responded to two calls from the Phoenix Convention Center last Thursday morning. More than 3,800 members of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations assembled downtown for their annual national convention.
"People are coming here from places where there is a lot of humidity," firefighter George Velasco said.
"They go to workshops and then go out at night. When alcohol is involved it can get you dehydrated. They go out in the neat the next day and can't handle it."
Firefighters said people should drink three or four liters of water a day. Velasco said that they drink six to eight liters on days when they must fight multiple fires.
"At 9:00 p.m. it will still be 105 degrees out," Simons said. "We hydrate a lot just to stay prepared."
"We carry an ice chest with Gatorade and ice bags," said Simons. "Cold fluid can make a big difference when you need to cool down fast."
Firefighters are used to dealing with the heat whether it's a fire or scorching temperatures. Access to water is the best way to tame the Arizona heat.
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Firefighters Don Simons and Tupac Enrique wait outside the Phoenix Convention Center for paramedics from Engine 9 to bring a patient to the ambulance. (Photo by Steve Caswell)
Hydration is the best way to avoid the negative effects of the dry Arizona heat. Firefighters recommend three or four liters of water a day. (Photo by Marlo Spitzer)
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