Salisbury FD giving safety tips, amid increase in heat related issues

SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury Fire Department is seeing an increase in heat-related calls and they’re sharing important information on how to stay safe in the summer.

“The heat, especially the mugginess of the heat, causes them to have increased respiratory issues,” said Sergeant Kara Harrington, with the Salisbury Fire Department.

With summer in full swing, the Salisbury Fire Department is responding to more of those heat-related calls before it’s too late. “Patients can be having altered mental status where they’re confused, they don’t know what’s going on. They’ll be short of breath or they can’t catch their breath. So, they need oxygen, oxygen support, and some respiratory support. A lot of them will be very dry, frantic, or very sweaty, just because they’ve been out in the heat,” said Sergeant Harrington.

Sergeant Kara Harrington says they’re also seeing incidents of heat stroke and dehydration. To avoid making that 9-1-1 call it’s important to stay hydrated. “Drinking your Gatorade, drink your Powerade, definitely, but water is the most important. Staying in the air conditioning, if at all possible, especially in the peak times of the day. You know, if you do need to go out, go out early in the morning or go out in late in the evening when the temperature is cooler,” said Sergeant Harrington.

To get ahead of the heat, you have to stay in the clear. ​”Keep an eye on the temperatures. I mean, obviously, this time of year, we’re going to have 80, 90-degree weather. Some of those days may have higher humidity, so also keep an eye on the humidity levels. Higher humidity levels are also going to cause, you know, especially people with respiratory issues to have difficulty breathing if they go out in it,” said Sergeant Harrington.

To help first responders best use their limited resources, Sergeant Harrington says you need to know when it’s time to call 911. “Most of them can be managed at home, getting them into a cool place. You want to do passive cooling, not active cooling. So you don’t want to put ice packs on them. Just get them into a cool environment as fast as possible. Get them to drink fluids, get them to drink electrolytes and just keeping them cool should normally help as well,” said Sergeant Harrington.

Salisbury Fire Department also operates the SWIFT Minor Definitive Care Now program which responds to lower acuity calls, sending a Tidalhealth nurse practitioner and a paramedic from the Salisbury Fire Department.

If you find yourself in a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.