PHOENIX (AZFamily) — With temperatures hitting 115 degrees and two of the hottest months of the year still ahead, Phoenix Fire has already responded to more than 400 heat-related calls since May 1. The department says the pace is only going to increase.
Maricopa County has confirmed 18 heat-related deaths so far this year, more than triple the five recorded at this same point last year. Captain Rob McDade said July and August are historically when conditions become most dangerous.
“We got two full months of this ahead of us, and it’s really when you look at the numbers, July and August is where we get these critical days,” McDade said.
A tool few departments have
To keep up with the demand, Phoenix Fire has been deploying water immersion bags. The treatment tool is used by only a handful of departments across the country…