Berwyn Fire Department responded to Morton West High School responded about 3:00 p.m. Friday September 22, 2017 to a report that a student was suffering from “heat related illness.” While paramedics were on the scene treating that student, another student had heat-related problems, and then multiple students experienced either heat exhaustion or dehydration.
With multiple students suffering from fainting and heat exhaustion, an EMS Box Alarm was activated at 2:45 p.m. which brought multiple ambulances from neighboring communities to the scene.
An MABAS EMS Box Alarm was activated to the second level at 3:03 p.m. for additional standby ambulance, and additional staffing at the scene.
Berwyn Fire Chief Denis O’Halloran said they transported six students to the hospital, and one received a medical emergency release from his parent, while several others were treated for minor heat-related injuries.
Morton West High School’s homecoming parade stepped off at 1:00 p.m. Friday, as temperatures were at a record high 94°F, breaking a 92°F record going back to 1956 for the Chicago record. After the mile-long parade, students headed to the outdoor football stadium for the annual homecoming pep rally.
Several other students were treated on the scene by the school nursing staff for minor heat issues. The varsity football homecoming game was still scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday. An extra ambulance was assigned to standby at the game as a precaution.
Saturday’s homecoming dance in the school’s gym, which has no air conditioning, was canceled because of continued heat forecast through the weekend. The dance is rescheduled for September 30, 2017.
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