ST. LOUIS — With extreme heat across the St. Louis area, firefighters are hitting the streets in an attempt to keep people cool. St. Louis firefighters are trained to deal with extreme heat.
“This type of temperature and humidity can be very dangerous,” Capt. Leon Whitener said. “We’re installing air conditioners for residents [who] need them.”
Ameren Missouri and Cool Down St. Louis partnered to deliver and install air conditioning units for the elderly and those dealing with disabilities who otherwise would be left to sweat it out.
"Sometimes our elderly that were born prior to air conditioning think that they can still make it because they went through things when they were young, but they're no longer young,” Whitener said. “Now they're elderly and their bodies don't regulate heat in the same way."
"People will try to beat the heat, but the heat will eventually beat you,” Gentry Trotter, founder of Cool Down St. Louis, said.
Demand for new air conditioning units and utility assistance increased to 43% year over year at Cool Down St. Louis.
Trotter said his organization often finds those with working air conditioning - won’t turn it on - over concerns about running up their bill.
“Seniors are trying to decide should I get cooler or not,” Trotter said. “We ask them to get cooler.”
According to Missouri law, it's illegal for utility companies to disconnect customers for non-payment when the heat index is above 95 degrees.
However, Trotter said people must pay their bills or at least ask Cool Down St. Louis for help.
“The utilities don’t know, and Cool Down St. Louis doesn’t know unless you communicate with us,” Trotter said.
“If you’re not elderly, and you don’t qualify for the program, find a cooling center and find the relief that you need,” Whitener said. “Over the long haul, this can play a very devastating role on your health if you’re sustained to these types of temperatures for an extended period of time.”
We have received a number of calls from renters with broken or disabled air conditioners, but unfortunately, Missouri law does not require landlords to provide working air.