East Texas outdoor workers adapt to triple-digit heat as emergency calls rise

As extreme heat hits East Texas, outdoor workers like Damian Arnold adjust schedules to cope, while UT Health notes a worrying rise in heat-related emergency calls.

TYLER, Texas — As temperatures climb across East Texas, people who work outdoors are adjusting their routines to stay safe while health officials warn the extreme conditions can quickly become dangerous.

For Damian Arnold, owner of NSN Landscaping and Lawn Service, working in high temperatures is part of the job. But with temperatures reaching the triple digits this week, Arnold said his crew has had to change how they approach their workdays.

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“We’ve been really starting early, leaving out meeting like 5:30, being at our first location about 6, so that we could beat the heat and definitely get a lot done before the sun actually is fully up,” Arnold said.

Arnold, who has worked outdoors for more than 10 years, says the biggest challenge is not just the temperature itself, but the toll it can take physically and mentally.

“Keeping a peaceful mind frame. When it gets hot, it gets a little bit more mind-boggling because the heat is agitating you. The sun rays becomes an issue, but overall, yeah, it’s a lot more difficult,” Arnold said.

Arnold says his crew takes more breaks, drinks plenty of fluids and watches out for each other while working outside.

But paramedics say not everyone recognizes when their body is reaching dangerous levels.

Vicky La May, an education coordinator and paramedic at UT Health East Texas, said heat-related emergency calls have increased compared to last year.

“Last year in July, we had just under 90 calls, like 80 something calls that were heat related. Today, this morning, we’re at over 100 now, just heat-related calls,” La May said.

La May says people often do not realize they are in danger until their body is already showing serious warning signs.

“When we really start getting to where they’re not acting like themselves, when we get to that point where we’re not thinking straight because we’re so overheated, we may not make the best decisions,” La May said.

She said people should not wait until they feel the effects of extreme temperatures before taking precautions.

Her advice: take breaks, drink water and pay attention to what your body is telling you.

“Set a timer to take breaks. Set a timer to drink water. Every 10 to 15 minutes, you should be having a sip of water,” La May said.