Heatwave Emergency Declared as Over 100 Treated in PA

WHO:

USA Today - Randall Hoover, police chief of Berks County's Muhlenberg Township, commented on the emergency response.

FOX 29 Philadelphia - Blandon Fire Company QRS responded to the incident, assisting Muhlenberg Township Fire & Rescue 66 and Muhlenberg Ambulance.

WHAT:

USA Today - A “mass casualty incident” was declared due to heat illnesses affecting attendees.

USA Today - More than 100 people required medical treatment at the event.

FOX 29 Philadelphia - Emergency crews set up tents and cooling buses at the scene.

FOX 29 Philadelphia - Dozens of attendees were transported to local hospitals, including one person who went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated.

WHERE:

USA Today - The incident occurred at the Reading and Blue Mountain Railroad Outer Station in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

FOX 29 Philadelphia - The event took place in Muhlenberg Township.

WHEN:

USA Today - The mass casualty incident was declared on July 2, 2026.

FOX 29 Philadelphia - Emergency resources were mobilized around 2:00 p.m. on July 2, 2026.

FOX 29 Philadelphia - The Big Boy steam locomotive is scheduled to arrive at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia on July 4, 2026.

WHY:

USA Today - The declaration of a “mass casualty incident” was made to prompt emergency resources due to heat-related emergencies.

HOW:

FOX 29 Philadelphia - EMTs from Blandon Fire Company integrated into the incident’s unified command structure and assisted with patient triage, treatment, transport, support, and logistics operations.

(UPDATED July 3, 2026 23:25 UTC)

A mass casualty incident was declared at the Reading and Blue Mountain Railroad Outer Station in Berks County, Pennsylvania, due to heat illnesses affecting attendees, with over 100 people requiring medical treatment. Emergency crews, including the Blandon Fire Company and Muhlenberg Township Fire & Rescue, mobilized around 2:00 p.m. and set up tents and cooling buses at the scene, while dozens of attendees were transported to local hospitals, including one person who went into cardiac arrest and was successfully resuscitated. The Big Boy steam locomotive is scheduled to arrive at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia on July 4, 2026.