Fight Is On To Beat The Heat

Monday marks the fourth straight day we're under an excessive heat warning. Dozens of people have been hospitalized since the weekend for heat-related illnesses. News On 6's Jeffrey Smith reports EMSA has responded to 30 heat-related emergencies since Friday, including two deaths in less than 48 hours.

Now members of the Tulsa Health Coalition are scrambling to come up with new ways to beat the heat. But, they say there are no easy solutions.

Whether it's trimming the grass or making a splash, people are still out-and-about in this heat.

"Trying to stay in shape and maybe just trim a few pounds off," said bike rider, Mike Harrison.

Mike Harrison just wants to get his exercise in.

"It's amazing how much energy it takes out of you," said Harrison.

"We all like to be outside, but once again, we've gone to the next level of heat intensity here," said Tulsa Heat Coalition Director, Roger Jolliff.

Emergency leaders voted on Monday to open a new 24-hour cooling station at the social services building. A third station will open on the east side on Tuesday morning.

"We're at a point right now where you don't have that recharging time to recover from when you've been out in the heat," said Jolliff.

However, there are some harsh realities. Tulsa now has three public cooling stations, but no transportation for the elderly and the homeless who are most likely to take advantage of them.

"Most of us who have access to vehicles also are going to have access to the means to stay cool," said Jolliff.

The Tulsa Health Coalition is in talks with the Transit Authority for help. EMSA points out the heat can humble anybody.

"We're running calls on adults that are in the 19 to 20 range, all the way up to the elderly. From the healthy athlete, all the way to the homeless," said EMSA Director, Kelly Deal.

"I drink a lot of water. I drank this one. This one was full. I'll chug another one. Then, I'll have two more on the way home," said bike rider, Tammi Harrison.

EMSA says the longer this heat wave continues, the more likely heat-related illnesses will surface. EMSA says they're expecting to see a lot more calls because the body's defenses will keep wearing down.