ENVIRONMENT Community responds as temperatures soar
HEAT-RELATED CALLS ON THE RISE
The number of heat-related 911 calls Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services has responded to has increased consistently over the past three years. Williamson County Emergency Medical Services also responded to more heat-related calls this June versus June 2022.
Record-breaking heat has taken over Central Texas this summer, and weather experts predict this will continue through at least Septem- ber. As a result, ocials are oering to help residents beat the heat. The National Weather Service issued the rst heat advisory of the year for Central Texas on June 13, and the area has been under a heat advisory most days since then. The region reached a record heat index value of 118 degrees June 21, and experts suggested the future will be lled with an increasing number of heat waves. John Moore, a meteorologist for the National Oceanic and Atmo- spheric Administration, conrmed Central Texas has a 50%-60% proba- bility of experiencing above-average temperatures well into September. Mike Knipstein, Williamson County Emergency Medical Services director, also conrmed the hotter-than-normal temperatures in Central Texas. BY AMANDA CUTSHALL & CHLOE YOUNG
“It looks like July is going to be our record-breaking [month] related to heat emergencies,” said Knipstein, explaining Williamson County EMS had responded to 33 heat-related calls as of July 18. The previous record for heat-related calls received by Williamson County EMS in one month was 49 calls, set in July 2022. The department passed that number in July 2023 with a record-setting 50 calls. Additionally, Knipstein said the county has also seen more heat stroke calls in recent years, respond- ing to ve heat stroke-related emergencies in July 2022 and three in July 2023. Anna Madrigal, program manager for Family Eldercare—an organiza- tion that gives free fans to those in need—said nearly 5,000 fans had been distributed this year as of July 21, assisting nearly 200 families in Williamson County. The organiza- tion distributed 7,200 fans in 2022.
Williamson County EMS 911 calls
15 30 45 60 0
June 2021
June 2022
June 2023
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICESCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Austin-Travis County EMS 911 calls
50 100 150 200 0
June 2021
June 2022
June 2023
SOURCE: AUSTINTRAVIS COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICESCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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