Ambulance crews in Oklahoma’s largest cities are grappling with a surge in heat-related health emergencies as daily highs continue to top 100 degrees across much of the state.
In Tulsa, Emergency Medical Services Authority, the state’s largest ambulance provider, has responded to 84 heat-related illness calls and taken 55 patients to hospitals since July 1, when the third heat alert of the year was issued for the city. In Oklahoma City, since a heat alert on July 7, the agency has responded to 59 calls, with 42 patients taken to hospitals.
Nearly all of the hospitalized patients in both cities were treated for heat exhaustion, heat stroke or heat-induced illnesses related to underlying medical conditions.
“We’re trending about six weeks ahead in terms of heat-related call volume than we have in years past,” said Adam Paluka, a spokesman for the authority, which is a public trust of the Tulsa and Oklahoma City governments.
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