Workers brave the triple digits in heat wave

Try as we might, some people just can’t escape the extreme heat. While you might think working inside is better than outside on days when it hits 120, for some businesses, that’s not the case.

Jeanie Oh has two words to describe the inside of her business, Country Club Cleaners – sticky and humid. That’s because dry cleaners can’t have air conditioning because of the steam machines they use.

“Steam on the inside makes a sauna. So we have to open the door and we use a swamp cooler,” Oh said.

She said after 18 years of working in the desert she knows how to stay cool when temps hit 120.

“We start earlier, like 5 a.m., and as much we can, turn off the machine. This is the only way,” Oh said.

Even though she’s hot, she said she doesn’t want to let her customers down. So she grins and bears it.

“Dry heat, 120, I can handle it,” Oh said.

Firefighters can’t escape the heat either. They’re fighting fires whether it’s 80 degrees or 120 degrees.

“When we go to work, we’re carrying 50 to 60 pounds worth of gear and it’s heavy gear that’s designed to keep heat off of you. But unfortunately, it also holds heat in,” said Cathedral City Fire Department Battalion Chief Rober Allison.

But there are some innovative ways they keep their crews cool.

“In this freezer are rehab vests and these have ice packs inside here so they’re already frozen. You take off your heavy turn out coat, put this on and it really helps to reduce your core temperature,” Allison said.

They also have massive fans that they put up as well as an easy up. Both Oh and Allison said the summer is just getting started so they know the heat isn’t going anywhere.