Police, Zoo Animals, Children Find Ways To Stay Cool In Intense Heat
STOCKTON (CBS13) — The heat can be dangerous, but some people didn't have the option to stay indoors as temperatures soared past 100 degrees on Wednesday.
Stockton bike police say besides drinking water and popping into air-conditioned stores, there's not much they can do to stay cool outdoors. Working through the heat is just part of the job.
"I think anyone that's been a police officer in the city of Stockton more than six months has had to pursue people on foot or on their bicycle in heat," Scott Fogg said.
Officers say despite patrolling outdoors in triple-digit heat, they believe they have the best job in the department, because they get to wear shorts and T-shirts.
The drawback with the uniform is underneath the shirts—they still have to wear bulletproof vests.
"I tell people it's like wearing a 20-pound trash bag," Fogg said. "It doesn't breathe at all. When you pull it forward to try to get a little air in there, you can feel steam just coming off of your body."
If you think working in a bulletproof vest is rough, imagine entertaining while wearing a fur coat like the animals at Micke Grove Zoo in Lodi. They get extra help from their handlers, animal care specialist Dayna Panella said.
"Most of our exhibits have misters and fans. They have access to their dens that also have fans and cooling elements in there." she said.
Besides freshwater, handlers are supplying animals with piles of ice cubes and making homemade fruit popsicles to keep them hydrated.
Those people who have the day off found their way near water. Stockton's Webers Point Water Fountains stay on in the drought, because the park recycles water.
"We came earlier and we were waiting," said mom Angelica Lopez. "We thought it wasn't going to turn on. I was about to leave and I saw 'Oh, they turned the water on!' Let's stay."