The Collaborate Short Reports are designed to provide a snapshot of data insights on relevant topics that relate to patient care, crew safety, operational management, and public health. They highlight and summarize key analysis and findings to drive industry awareness, validation, and more in-depth research.

Approximately 60 million Americans located in metro areas experience 90 degree or higher temperatures more than 76 days (about 2 and a half months) each year.¹ According to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the heat wave season is now 49 days longer than it was in the 1960’s.² This increase in high-heat days will also increase emergency medical services (EMS) utilization for individuals that find themselves sensitive to heat, have minimal access to cooling options, or participate in outdoor physical activities.

There has been minimal research published on heat-related illnesses attended by EMS. This report analyzes the characteristics of heat-related incidents attended by EMS from 2019 through 2023.

1. Proussaloglou, E., Kane, J. W., & Tomer, A. (2022, November 2). Data shows 23 million Americans live in places most at risk of extreme heat. Brookings. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from https://www.brookings.edu/articles/data-shows-23-million-americans-livein-places-most-at-risk-of-extreme-heat/

2. U.S. Global Change Research Program. (n.d.). U.S. heat wave frequency and length are increasing. GlobalChange.gov. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from https://www.globalchange.gov/browse/indicators/us-heat-waves