ITHACA, N.Y. — The high temperatures caused a number of heat-related medical emergencies this weekend that kept local emergency responders busy.
The Ithaca Fire Department said 911 dispatchers began to take calls for help all over the county at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
During one call, members of the Ithaca Fire Department and Bangs Ambulance responded to Robert Treman State Park for heat-related injury on a trail. With help from State Park police and employees, emergency responders were able to locate the woman about a mile down the trail.
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At the same time, an Ithaca Fire Department crew was sent from the South Hill Station to Robert Treman to assist another person suffering from a heat-related illness. The Ithaca Fire Department said a Collegetown Engine went downtown to cover calls and was sent along with Bangs Ambulance to assist another person on Taughannock Boulevard who needed medical attention due to the heat.
Crews were also called to assist a person at the “30 Foot Dam” near Giles Street on Saturday. Off-duty firefighters were called to cover calls so that crews could head to the dam and move rescue equipment from Treman to the Six Mile Creek gorge. But after Bangs and Ithaca Fire Rescue personnel found the woman who was suffering from minor back pain, she refused medical care, the Ithaca Fire Department said.
Saturday was also the Finger Lakes International Dragon Boat Festival. After one race at about 11:30 a.m., a few people need medical assistance due to the heat.
On Sunday, the Ithaca Fire Department responded to Robert Treman State Park for two more heat-related medical calls.
The high temperatures and humidity have made for some extremely hot days the past few weeks, getting up over 100 degrees some days.
“In one way or another, all of these emergency calls were related to the high heat the area has been experiencing,” the Ithaca Fire Department said in a news release. “The Ithaca Fire Dept. reminds everyone to stay hydrated. Check on loved ones with preexisting medical conditions and keep them in a cool place. If you are going hiking, stay on marked trails and know your location. If you are going swimming, stay out of restricted areas and only swim where a lifeguard is present. Ithaca is a beautiful place…but enjoy it safely!”