Heat health emergency issued in Philadelphia on first day of FIFA Fan Festival

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Health officials in Philadelphia are declaring a heat health emergency on Thursday as temperatures soar into the 90s.

The emergency is in effect from 11 a.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Friday.

The dangerous heat settled in as the FIFA Fan Festival opened at Lemon Hill at 2 p.m. Thursday. Two large tents with fans and misters are set up at the festival for those looking for relief from the heat. There are also water stations on festival grounds and tables in shaded areas.

Dr. P.J. Brennan, chief medical officer of Penn Medicine, who is also overseeing medical preparedness at Fan Fest, said doctors saw their first patient for heat exhaustion before the gates even opened.

“Hydration is really important, particularly on a day like today where we’re not even open for business yet and we’re already treating our first person for heat illness," he said.

Brennan also said what you wear is important to staving off the heat.

“Wear a wide brimmed hat, use sunscreen, and most important all stay hydrated. Bring water to the Fan Fest,” said Brennan.

Fans can bring water to the stadium because FIFA has lifted its closed water bottle ban.

For those walking to the festival from Center City, four shaded hospitality hubs are available along the way with water and misting.

“Our message is really to folks to know your body,” said Deputy Philadelphia Health Commissioner James Garrow. “Know what it is that you can take. And if you are in one of those higher-risk groups, there’s really no harm in taking those extra precautions. If nothing else, it could help save your life.”

Officials are urging people to hydrate as best as they can and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and heat.

“Someone who’s sweating profusely. If they’re getting confused, if they can’t catch their breath, if they feel like their heart is pounding — all of these are potentially dangerous symptoms,” Garrow said.

Cooling centers will be open with extended hours across Philadelphia. View a map of all cooling centers here.

“These are libraries and recreation centers, older adult centers, even some community organizations are opening their doors,” said Garrow. “And these are all places that have air conditioning, are free to drop in. Stop by for a few minutes, a couple hours. Whatever it takes to help cool yourself off.”

Officials throughout the region are also encouraging people to check on their family members, friends and neighbors who are older or in other higher-risk groups.

The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging Heatline (215-765-9040), which is staffed with city health department nurses, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday.

The city’s Office of Homeless Services declared a Code Red that coincides with the heat health emergency. The office encourages those who come across people sleeping or living outside to call the Homeless Street Outreach Hotline at 215-232-1984.