San Francisco officials on Wednesday confirmed three probable heat-related deaths in the city last weekend when temperatures reached triple-digit highs.
The chief medical examiner said the three elderly people all lived independently and died inside their places of residence. An investigation showed no calls for medical assistance from any of the three individuals.
The deaths add to a growing list of questions about how prepared the city was for the heat. On Monday, NBC Bay Area learned that San Francisco's emergency operations were caught off guard by the number of 911 calls, which nearly doubled because of the heat. The city activated its mutual aid system, and surrounding counties helped out.
Supervisor Aaron Peskin was already planning to hold a hearing to find out why more ambulances weren't scheduled. He said the city has a heat wave plan but he isn't sure it was implemented well, and lives were lost.
"The fact that we were not able to put protocols in place and prevent that from happening, whether city officials are checking on elderly folks or the city is issuing a warning to neighbors, I sadly feel San Francisco was caught flat footed," Peskin said.
Peskin said he recieved more warnings from city officials about the Patriot Prayer rally last month than he did about the now deadly heat wave.
Another three heat-related deaths were reported in San Mateo County, officials said Thursday.
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A 90-year-old Pacifica man and a 79-year-old Daly City man died of heat stroke in their homes on Saturday.
The next day, a 95-year-old Millbrae woman also died of heat stroke after being taken to a hospital in South San Francisco for treatment.
The elderly are among the most vulnerable to heat stroke, and residents are encouraged to check frequently on friends, family and neighbors during heat waves.
