‘Firefighters are always hot.’ Here’s how Myrtle Beach workers are braving the heat wave
This week communities along the northeastern South Carolina coast are experiencing a heat wave that has broader implications for people whose jobs take them outside.
This includes various government employees and first responders.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington, NC has issued a heat advisory through Wednesday at 8 p.m. for the Grand Strand with a heat index of up to 109 degrees.
According to the NWS, these hot temperatures and increased humidity may cause heat-related illness.
“As forecasts call for temperatures around 100 degrees, with even higher heat indexes, it’s critical that everyone take measures to protect themselves and their families from heat-related illnesses,” Dr. Edward Simmer, interim South Carolina Department of Public Health director said in a release. “These illnesses can be dangerous, and even deadly, but those risks can be greatly reduced by taking proper precautions.”
Horry County policies for the heat wave
County construction workers or parks and recreation staff, usually adjust their schedules based on the weather, “such as what we are dealing with now,” lead spokesperson for Horry County, Mikayla Moskov, told The Sun News.
She said that construction crews may work 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. in order to get work done before it gets too hot.
“Firefighters are always hot,” Tony Casey with Horry County Fire Rescue said about the amount of gear they have to wear to emergency calls in the heat.
However, he said during the heat wave, they have been instructed to keep hydrated and not overdo it during training. The department has not removed any crews from working, Casey said.
Police & Myrtle Beach hot weather tactics
The Myrtle Beach Police Department currently doesn’t have any specific policies for heat waves, Lt. Allen Amick wrote via email.
“The department encourages officers to hydrate and has drinks available. Supervisors also check on officers throughout the day to make sure they are not overheating,” he wrote. “The City also provides safety training periodically as it relates to working during excessive heat.”
Lead city spokesperson, Meredith Denari, said the city also has practices in place to prepare employees for extreme heat if working outdoors.
In an email to The Sun News, Denari included the following examples:
- Recreation centers (including the tennis center) and summer programs do not let patrons/campers outside if the heat index is above 105 degrees.
- The city’s procurement center has cooling towels and powdered Gatorade for electrolytes for all work trucks and employees.
- Work trucks can also be equipped with coolers for ice and water/Gatorade.
“As a municipality, much of our work naturally takes place outdoors, so we prioritize safety and education to ensure our teams are equipped to handle hot weather responsibly,” her email said.
How North Myrtle Beach prepared for the heat wave
According to North Myrtle Beach’s public information officer Lauren Jessie, the city’s safety specialist sent out an email about this week’s heat advisory.
Some of his suggestions to city employees included hydrating regularly, taking breaks in cool areas, monitoring the heat index and knowing the signs of heat exhaustion.
“All City employees go through heat safety training when they are hired in orientation,” Jessie wrote via email.
The South Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration has guidelines to protect outdoor workers in events of extreme temperatures. Some of their suggestions include ensuring that cool water is available, scheduling more demanding tasks for cooler days and providing shaded and air-conditioned areas for workers to rest in.
Reporter Terri Richardson contributed research to this story.
