TULSA, Okla. — EMSA, Tulsa’s ambulance service, is responding to more and more heat related calls as triple digits temperatures continue across Green Country.

So far this month, EMSA treated 85 people for heat related illnesses. Of those 85, 60 had to go to the hospital.

FOX23 spoke with Adam Paluka, EMSA’s Chief Public Affairs Officer, about these numbers.

“Those numbers are high, they’re alarming, and it means when people are getting sick because of the heat, they’re actually so sick that they have to be taken to the hospital for immediate medical attention,” Paluka said.

Paluka said hydration is key in preventing heat related illnesses. He also warned that people in their 20s and 30s can suffer heat stress just as much as the elderly.

“I know a lot of folks might think they lived in Oklahoma a long time, but this is excessive heat that we haven’t seen in close to a decade and trends are looking more like 2011 and 2012,” Paluka said.”

Paluka advised that if you have to be out in the heat, make sure to take caution and wear loose fitting and lightly colored clothing. He also said to avoid caffeine and alcohol when encountering the heat.

“It’s never been more important for people to take those heat related precautions seriously. The heat is undefeated against people who aren’t prepared and don’t take care of their bodies when their out in the heat.”

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