By Clark Judge
(July 2, 2026) — In case you missed it, Gov. Ned Lamont has activated an Extreme Hot Weather Protocol, alerting state residents of a suffocating heat wave that may last through Sunday and could, as his proclamation stated, “reach the warning-level criteria” – with temperatures reaching 100 and heat indices approaching 110.
In response, Killingworth is making the air-conditioned Town Hall and Town Library available as “cooling centers,” Deer Lake will provide campers a tent with cooling water mist, the Killingworth Congregational Church will move its Sunday service from the sanctuary to an air-conditioned Parish Hall, and Acer Gardens in Deep River will close early on July 2nd and 3rd.
The message is clear: The weather is expected to be so infernal that, as one comic put it, “birds will pull worms out of the ground with oven mitts.” Okay, so that’s funny. Sweltering isn’t. What can you do? We asked three prominent members of the Killingworth Ambulance Association – all of whom are EMTs – for the first piece of advice they’d offer in extreme heat. Here’s what they said:
Dan O’Sullivan, President KAA
“Pace yourself and avoid exertion in the afternoon, when it’s hottest. For the very young and old, or people with respiratory issues, use air conditioning. If you do not have air conditioning, go to a friend with it or to a cooling center.”
Marguerite Haaga, Vice President KAA
“My answer is hydration. People have a tendency of not drinking enough throughout the day. By the time that they need to drink or are thirsty, it’s too late. They are already dehydrated. So my advice is: Drink throughout the day. “
Mike Haaga, Chief of Service, KAA
“Avoid exertion during midday when the temperature is highest. Stay inside or somewhere cool when the temperature is at the day’s maximum.”
So there you have it. Hydrate. Avoid afternoon exertion. And stay where it’s cool. My guess: You already knew that. But it never hurts to be reminded. Your life could depend on it.
