Heat Emergency: 166 Treated, 16 Hospitalized at NJ High School Graduation

Heat Crisis at Patterson Graduation

• 🌡️ A high school graduation in Patterson, NJ, was canceled halfway through due to extreme heat, affecting over 100 attendees.
• 🚑 The event became an "all hands on deck" heat emergency, with strangers assisting each other and camera crews helping distribute ice and water.
• 😥 Many attendees, including young and old, experienced heat-related issues, with some passing out.

Official Response and Recommendations

• 🚨 Mayor Andre Seya intervened, canceling the ceremony due to the escalating number of patients, citing 50 individuals needing care.
• 📅 The Mayor suggested that for future events, the school district should schedule graduations for the evening or on cooler days, possibly over the weekend.
• 🏥 A makeshift cooling center was established, with approximately 20 people seeking refuge from the heat.

Medical Impact and Symptoms

• 📈 Temperatures reached up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, overwhelming hundreds of people on the field and in the stands.
• ⚠️ Dr. Mark Milano of Beth Israel Medical Center advised looking out for symptoms like weakness, headaches, dizziness, and confusion, noting confusion indicates potential heat stroke requiring immediate attention.
• 🏥 By the end of the event, a total of 166 people were treated by EMTs, with 16 individuals requiring transport to the emergency room.