Outdoor Jobs in Royal Oak: Some Like it Hot

As Royal Oak braces for high temps near 100 again today and humidity making it feel like 110 degrees, many people are looking for air conditoned indoor escapes from the sweltering heat. For others who work outdoors in the city, they simply put on their caps and sunblock and get used to it.

Here are five of the hottest jobs in the city:

PR Intern at the Detroit Zoo

Maurice Anderson works at the Detroit Zoo in communications. His job is to navigate the media through 125 acres of habitats on sticky days like Wednesday. He estimates on the days he gives tours he spends between 70 percent and 80 percent of his day outside on the move.

"The hardest part is being dressed in business attire when you have to be outside a good part of the day," the Central Michigan University student said. "On really hot days I'll try to remember to wear short sleeves."

Anderson said he stays hydrated by keeping a water bottle with him. On Wednesday, he was perspiring slightly, but never stopped smiling.

Parking Enforcement Officer

Larry Grant spends his entire day in the sun. He drinks lots of fluids and wears a cap and shorts. "At least my legs are cool," he said. He doesn't bother with sun block.

"I've performed in a Scottish band for 30 years and when I am dressed up for that, in full attire, I am hotter than I am today," he said.

Grant, a retired police officer, said winters are worse, but only because there are snow piles to walk around. The weather never bothers him. He's used to it.

Letter Carrier

John Dick's Postal Service Jeep has no air conditioning, but he's happy.

"I like it better that way," he said. "It would be worse if I was going in and out of air conditioning all day. This way my body acclimates to the heat faster. The first half hour is the toughest. After that, I'm fine."

Dick wears a visor that soaks up the sweat and put's Dr. Scholl's inserts in his shoes to keep his soles dry. He keeps a big jug of water in his vehicle.

He's very happy letter carriers get to wear shorts.

"In the old days, they had to wear long pants and neckties," he said, "and their satchels were made of leather so they were really heavy. Whenever I get depressed about the weather, I remind myself 'At least I don't have to put on a tie.' "

Surveyor

Andrew Chihan is a surveyor chief. On Wednesday he was working on a topographic survey on Washington for the city. He found little comfort from the shade provided by a small tree. Chihan said he has been called off a job site for extreme cold before, but never for heat.

"On hot days we try to start early. Today we got here at 6 a.m.," he said. "We drink lots of water and take lots of breaks."

Firefighter 

The hottest job in the city, without a doubt, is the job of a firefighter. They must respond to calls for heat exhaustion while trying to stay cool themselves.

"The back of an ambulance is really hot," firefighter Mike Gladieux said. "It's uncomfortable when you're trying to help someone and you're sweating."

Gladieux said the chief allows them to wear shorts in the firehouse, which helps them stay cool, but if they respond to a car accident they have to put on their full gear, which is heavy and doesn't breathe. "The material is like an oven mitt," he said. "It's hot."

Obviously, the worst case scenario for firefighters is responding to a fire. He says the 50-60 pounds of equipment they wear absorbs moisture, which can add another 10-15 pounds of weight. 

"I've responded to fires where I have been so hot I almost passed out," he said, so 100-degree temps don't break his day.