Paramedics and police in and around Pittsburgh are bracing for a busy Fourth of July and warning citizens to be wary of high temperatures during the festivities.
“There’s grilling, campfires, fireworks, alcoholic beverages being served — everyone wants theirs to be the best, and sometimes that’s not the best recipe for success,” said Scott Garing, supervisor of paramedics for Ross/West View EMS. “We typically see a steady flow of minor traumatic injuries or burns associated with such.”
This year marks the first time in nearly 80 years that aerial fireworks will be legal in the state, and Mr. Garing and other EMS agencies are readying for an uptick in fireworks-related injuries.
“It’s legal now, you just have to be careful,” Mr. Garing said, adding that a sober person should handle the fireworks.
Pittsburgh public safety officials echoed the concern. City officials and UPMC gave a demonstration on the dangers associated with fireworks last month.
Pittsburgh paramedics will have extra units assigned to areas where crowds gather to watch the major fireworks displays, said paramedic Jeff Tremel, president of the Fraternal Association of Professional Paramedics Local 1.
But the bigger concern for the holiday is heat, said Chief Todd Pritchard, of Medical Rescue Team South Authority in Mt. Lebanon.
“We have more heat-related injuries than fireworks,” Chief Pritchard said, adding that dehydration is common. “Generally people start to feel dizzy, like they’re going to pass out. If you move to a cool place and stay hydrated, you’re usually fine. If you have dizziness, I’d encourage them to call 911 so paramedics can come check you out.”
Temperatures on Wednesday are expected to climb to the upper-90s, said Fred McMullen, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service.
“It’s going to be a firecracker,” he said, although he doesn’t expect temperatures to reach the record high of 100 degrees set in 1911.
“Because of the size of the groups there are a lot of trips and falls, and heat-related injuries,” said Mr. Tremel, the paramedic. “Typically, we very rarely see anything firework-related.”
The new law, he said, might change that.
“We’ll see,” he said.
In addition to warning about health risks, city officials said they are preparing for large crowds in Point State Park. In a release, the city’s Public Safety spokesman Chris Togneri said: “Prohibited items in the park include, but are not limited to: Alcohol, drones, grills, laser pointers and any type of weapon, explosive or ammunition. Fireworks are not allowed in the park, and city law prohibits the use of any fireworks, even those that are legal, within 150 feet of a structure.”
There will be security checks at park entryways, Mr. Togneri said, with bag checks and random screenings for weapons.
"There will be zero-tolerance for any type of disorderly conduct, any type of fighting, intoxication, underage drinking, or any type of violence,” Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said in the release. “We encourage the public: If you see something suspicious, please say something. There will plenty of law enforcement out there in uniform and in plain clothes.”
Shelly Bradbury: 412-263-1999, sbradbury@post-gazette.com or follow @ShellyBradbury on Twitter.
First Published: July 3, 2018, 5:03 p.m.
