First responders received 200 heat-related emergency calls, transported 15 at Vols game

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — First responders in Knoxville say they responded to 200 heat-related emergency calls and 15 people were transported by ambulance during Tennessee’s home opener on Saturday.

American Medical Response told WATE in Knoxville that 15 people being transported is higher than usual.

AMR says the number would have been higher if UT Medical Center staff weren’t treating fans at aid stations inside the stadium.

The Knoxville Fire Department also had a cooling bus in the area. At one point, it held 30 people, according to AMR.

According to UT, Saturday’s temperature of 90 degrees at kickoff tied the second highest kickoff temperature at Neyland Stadium. They say it was the fifth game at Neyland Stadium with a kickoff temperature at or above 90 degrees.