Over 150 people collapsed from extreme heat at Paterson High School graduation ceremonies, forcing the mayor to declare a state of emergency as temperatures soared to dangerous levels with a heat index of 107 degrees.
Key Takeaways
- More than 150 attendees at Paterson, NJ high school graduations suffered heat-related illnesses, with five people hospitalized for dehydration
- Mayor Andre Sayegh declared a state of emergency, canceling three out of four afternoon graduation ceremonies
- Temperatures reached the upper 90s with a heat index of 107 degrees, amid excessive heat warnings across New Jersey
- Despite medical emergencies, some parents refused hospital transport to witness their children’s graduation
- Critics questioned the decision to schedule outdoor ceremonies during a forecasted heat wave
EMS On Scene as Heat Wave Strikes Graduation Ceremonies
What should have been a day of celebration quickly turned into a mass medical emergency at Paterson’s Hinchliffe Stadium as extreme heat overwhelmed graduation attendees. EMS personnel were already on scene when people began fainting from the heat around 11 a.m., as family members and friends of graduates waited in line outside the venue. The situation rapidly deteriorated with more than 160 people ultimately requiring medical attention during two outdoor ceremonies. The Paterson Fire Division provided emergency assistance to approximately 50 individuals at the stadium alone, while others sought help elsewhere.
With temperatures soaring into the high 90s and the heat index reaching a dangerous 107 degrees, city officials faced a crisis that overwhelmed local emergency resources. Mayor Andre Sayegh took decisive action, declaring a state of emergency and canceling three of the four scheduled afternoon ceremonies. The extreme conditions created a perfect storm for heat-related illnesses, particularly affecting elderly attendees and those with preexisting health conditions who came to support their graduating family members.
Parents Sacrifice Health to Witness Children’s Achievement
Despite the dangerous conditions, the determination of many parents to witness their children’s graduation was remarkable. Some attendees refused hospital transport despite experiencing serious symptoms. One woman who suffered an asthma attack during the ceremony demonstrated the lengths parents would go to support their children’s achievements. After receiving emergency treatment, she declined further medical care to ensure she wouldn’t miss her son’s special moment.
“They gave me the breathing machine. They wanted to take me [to the hospital], but I didn’t want to go because I didn’t want to miss my son’s graduation,” said a woman who declined to give her name to reporters at the scene.
This dedication, while admirable, highlights the serious risks posed by the extreme weather conditions. At least five individuals required hospitalization for dehydration after collapsing at the venue. Others suffered from heat exhaustion, asthma attacks triggered by the heat, and other complications. The situation became so severe that Paterson’s public safety director Jerry Spezial confirmed to reporters that emergency services were stretched thin responding to multiple ill people at once.
Poor Planning Under Fire as Heat Wave Was Forecasted
The decision to hold outdoor ceremonies during a well-forecasted heat wave has drawn intense criticism from parents and community members. Many questioned why school officials didn’t reschedule the events knowing dangerous conditions were imminent. The National Weather Service had issued excessive heat warnings for much of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, with predictions that temperatures could potentially break records not seen since July 2012.
“They didn’t call anyone else’s name, they canceled it. All they did was say congratulations to everybody. Everybody should’ve graduated last week when it was cool, because y’all knew this heat wave was coming,” complained one woman who attended the abbreviated ceremony.
The city had issued heat advisories recommending that residents stay indoors, remain hydrated, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities. Officials opened the Paterson Free Public Library and Northside Public Library as cooling centers for residents. Despite these warnings and precautions, the graduation ceremonies proceeded as planned until the emergency situation forced officials to cancel most events. In the aftermath, other New Jersey high schools have begun adjusting their own graduation schedules and offering indoor viewing options as the heat wave is expected to continue through Wednesday.
