Emergency Workers Battle Brush Fires, Heat Sickness

As the heat wave continues, local emergency crews find themselves responding to more calls and dealing with more customer issues. Hospitals and doctors in the area also see an increase in patients with heat-related illnesses.

Commack Fire Department Chief Steve Fontana said the problems are two-fold for firefighters – they need to fight the brush fires and stay hydrated themselves.

"There are more brush fires, it's so dry and there hasn't been any rain. The smallest thing can ignite a brush fire. It can be as simple as someone throwing a cigarette out the window," Fontana said.

Fontana also said the firefighters rotate in and out of these multiple fires, including the one on 17 Winston Drive, in order to ensure that they are kept hydrated.

"We have a 22 person van for them at the scene, like the brush fire in East Northport. We also have water and Gatorade. When you're fighting fires in 100 degree temperatures, you have to stay hydrated," Fontana said.

At the same time, the Long Island Power Authority reported Wednesday morning that 23 homes in the Commack area were without power. As of Wednesday afternoon, only 11 homes were part of the Commack outage.

"We are continually working the additional 11 homes without power," Vanessa Baird-Streter, spokeswoman for LIPA, said.

According to the Commack Fire Department, the closest cooling center is the Caesar Trunzo Senior Center, at 16 2nd Avenue in Brentwood. The center is open from 9:00 a.m.- 7:00p.m. when used as a cooling center, said Fran Malen, an employee at the Center.

"While we are not open as a cooling center on Thursday, we would be happy to have anyone who needs a cool place to stay, stop by the center during our regular business hours of 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.," Malen said.

"We have had a higher volume, but it is not related to the heat. Advice for dealing with the heat includes staying inside, in the air conditioning," Jesse Steinberg, North Shore-LIJ Huntington hospital spokesman, said.

"Yes, we have seen some more patients with heat-related illnesses. More chronic respiratory illnesses that are exacerbated in this type of humidity, mostly. But also some increased dehydration cases," Dr. Michael Stratemeier, emergency room physician said.

"The elderly are the most susceptible to this type of weather. Young children are as well, but we really haven't seen many young patients. You have to be careful with people with chronic asthma, bronchitis or other respiratory conditions. They shouldn't have prolonged exposure to this heavy air," Stratemeier said.

Commack North Little League's games and practices are cancelled for today, according to a recorded message. The farm division games will be rescheduled to tomorrow, however, the league said players should wait for a phone call.

Know of any other changes that have been made because of the heat? Have you lost power? Call Patch 631-276-6933 or email victoria@patch.com with comments.