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Phoenix Fire Department New Heat Illness Treatment Tool

June 20, 2024 1:20 PM

​​​This summer, the Phoenix Fire Department has introduced a new and innovative approach to treating heat victims: Cold Water Immersion. These specialized ice bags are being used to rapidly cool down individuals suffering from extreme heat-related illnesses, offering a quick and effective method to manage the often-dangerous effects of extreme heat.

The cold-water immersion is used when a patient's temperature surpasses 104 degrees and they present with altered mental status. Once the patient is fully immersed in the ice, firefighter-paramedics constantly reevaluate vital signs including their temperature. The patient is removed from the bag when their temperature drops to 101 degrees.

Since May 1st, every response vehicle within the Phoenix Fire Department has been outfitted with the equipment and necessary tools to integrate this method into standard protocol for dealing with heat-related emergencies. Training for the proper application and monitoring of this method has been provided to ensure effectiveness and safety to all 1,800 Phoenix Firefighters.

At the beginning of May, one bag a week was used on average. Now nearing the end of June, the bags are used roughly three times a day.

“This is a collaborative effort," Captain Rob McDade added. “We've worked with local E.R.'s, local doctors, our own medical director, our EMS department – we looked at how can we help those that we serve having critical heat emergencies?"

As the excessive heat becomes more frequent and intense, this simple yet effective measure plays a crucial role in saving lives and enhancing emergency response capabilities.

And the impact has already been seen.

Battalion Chief Austin Moreland works within the Emergency Medical Services section and helped deploy this new program and training. He said, “We've already seen people who were extremely hot this year, who last year they might not have made it – and because of these efforts this year, they're leaving the hospital with no deficits."​

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