At-The-Ready EMTs At Tonight's Graduation

Misting fans. An at-the-ready ambulance. Emergency Medical Service stations.

These are just a few of the precautions that will be taken by the Montclair Ambulance Unit in conjunction with the Montclair Police Department at tonight's Montclair High School graduation ceremony.

Due to concerns over the heat, the unit will be staffing an ambulance specifically for the graduation. It also be staffing an Emergency Medical Services station with Emergency Medical Technicians. Indeed a total of five to seven EMTs will be on hand at the event with the normal on-duty crew as backup. There also will be misting fans put up to attend to anyone overcome by the heat.

"We’d like to suggest to any of your readers that if they plan on attending tonight to dress for temperatures near 100 degrees ... wear sunblock as there is very little shade in the amphitheater ... and stay well hydrated," said Frank J. Carlo, EMT-B, the Montclair Ambulance Unit's deputy chief of emergency medical services. "We are looking forward to an incident free Graduation but are prepared for any contingency." 

This week's scorching heat wave has impacted not just Montclair High School but schools and students across the state.

A handful of students had to be treated for heat exhaustion during the North Bergen High School graduation ceremony on Wednesday. The heat also led administrators in at least one township—Howell—to end school and send students home for summer vacation a day early.

With the 145th commencement at Montclair High School scheduled tonight at 6 p.m. in the MHS Amphitheatre, administrators there say they aren't taking any chances.

A notice sent out to MHS families late Wednesday said the following:

"The weather forecast calls for temperatures in the mid to high nineties with a zero percent chance of rain, 47% humidity and a very high UV index. A heat advisory warning has been issued for our area. Due to these circumstances, extra precautions will be taken for the commencement ceremony. Bottles of water and ice will be available and a cooling station will be set up and manned by School Resource Officer Kim Nelson Edwards, School Nurses and volunteers. 

"The Montclair Ambulance Unit will have an ambulance at the scene and will be available to help with any emergency that may arise. We recommend that guests dress with the high temperatures in mind and to be watchful for signs of heat related problems with young children and elderly family members attending the ceremony.

"Dehydration is a major factor in heat related problems, and it is recommended that you drink plenty of fluids and avoid caffeine and alcohol which contribute to dehydration. A live broadcast of the ceremony will be shown in the auditorium located next to the amphitheatre. Tickets are not required for entrance to the simulcast in the auditorium. Although the auditorium is not air-conditioned it may be a more comfortable location to enjoy the ceremony for some of our guests."