Specialized meters, cooling equipment, and emergency plans are helping Hillsborough County keep safety a priority during extreme heat
With the summer heat in full swing, Hillsborough County is taking measures to keep residents safe on the field. Heat can be more than uncomfortable, especially for people exercising outdoors. On a summer day, high temperatures, humidity, and direct sunlight can create dangerous conditions for athletes, coaches, children, and other residents using Hillsborough County athletic fields. New technology is helping to ensure that safety comes first.
To help protect residents, Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation is using wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) meters to measure heat stress at athletic facilities. The technology provides staff with a more complete picture of environmental conditions than a standard thermometer or heat index alone, helping determine when activities may need to be modified, delayed, or canceled.
A closer look at heat stress
Unlike a traditional thermometer, a WBGT meter goes beyond the air temperature by measuring several environmental factors that affect heat stress on a person. The device uses multiple sensors and measurements, including:
- Ambient temperature
- Humidity
- Wind
- Cloud cover
- Solar radiation/UV exposure
WBGT systems also account for the cooling effect of evaporation, essentially measuring the conditions associated with perspiration leaving the body. Together, these measurements are used to produce a single WBGT reading that represents the level of heat stress on a field. While a heat index is primarily designed to describe how hot conditions feel based on temperature and humidity, WBGT is designed to assess heat stress during activity, making it useful for athletic fields.
Heat stress safety
Hillsborough County uses the WBGT meter whenever the ambient temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The reading provides staff with an on-site measurement of heat stress that is used to make decisions about field activities. A total of 14 County parks and athletic sites use the technology. At Skyway Sports Complex and SouthShore Sportsplex, County staff take readings every hour when the ambient temperature is above 85 degrees. 12 additional partner sites also use the meters and follow the same protocols.
The data provides the County with an opportunity to learn more about the relationship between weather and heat stress. Hillsborough County collaborates with scientists and other experts to determine weather patterns and environmental conditions, helping the County better understand how heat affects people using outdoor facilities.
What the numbers mean
The WBGT reading helps staff determine how outdoor activities should be adjusted during extreme heat.
Hillsborough County follows safety recommendations based on Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) standards. The FHSAA guidelines provide progressively stricter modifications as the WBGT rises:
These guidelines are designed to prevent heat illness by adjusting activity before conditions become dangerous. The FHSAA requires member schools to monitor heat stress and modify activities based on environmental conditions. For Hillsborough County, the goal is the same. Use information to make proactive decisions that help people stay safe before heat stress becomes an emergency.
More than just a number
The WBGT reading is one part of Hillsborough County's heat-safety strategy. At some County athletic fields, cooling stations are available to give participants a place to get out of the heat. Other safety equipment, including ice tanks, cooling fans, and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are available at facilities in case of emergencies. These layers of protection are important because heat illness or other emergencies can develop quickly.
Everyone using a field has a role to play in heat safety. Athletes should speak up if they feel dizzy, weak, nauseated, or tired. Coaches, parents, and spectators should watch for heat-related symptoms. Hydrating regularly, taking scheduled breaks, and paying attention to how your body feels can all help reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
The WBGT program is an evolving effort by Hillsborough County. By collecting readings and collaborating with experts, the County is hoping to expand the technology and continue improving how it protects residents who enjoy outdoor sports and recreation. Studying heat stress can facilitate smarter decisions and help residents stay safe while enjoying the fields they love.
Stay safe during extreme heat by learning more about [heat-illness awareness](https://hcfl.gov/residents/parks-and-leisure/sports-and-athletics/heat-illness-awareness-and-wet-bulb-globe-temperature) and the County's use of WBGT meters.