![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Heat Wave Response Programs
Heat Wave Response Programs
In response to a series of deadly heat waves over the last 15 years, local officials are taking steps to minimize the public health threat of excessive heat. Cities are increasingly starting programs to coordinate intervention strategies among local agencies and sound the alarm to residents. Such programs provide direct assistance to vulnerable individuals and protect against heat-related illness and mortality.
The approach taken in each city is unique and tailored to local needs. Common examples of "best practices" include:
- Activating telephone heat hotlines
- Alerting neighborhood volunteers, family members, and friends
- Providing public air-conditioned buildings and transportation to these facilities
- Working with local "aging agencies" to educate at-risk individuals
- Coordinating with local utility companies to ensure that service to residential electricity customers is not shut off during a heat wave
To maximize program effectiveness, cities are targeting at-risk groups. These include people over 65 years of age, those with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, small children, individuals working outdoors, those without air conditioning, and persons engaged in strenuous physical activity.
How is Philadelphia Responding To Heat Waves?
The City of Philadelphia began taking steps to reduce the public health threat from excessive heat in 1993. The cornerstone of the city's response plan is its Heat Health Watch-Warning System (HHWWS). Under the HHWWS, city staff work with the National Weather Service to determine when a heat wave is imminent.
Once a heat alert is issued, the Philadelphia Health Department contacts news organizations with tips on how vulnerable individuals can protect themselves. People who do not have air conditioning are advised to seek relief from the heat in shopping malls, senior centers, and other air-conditioned spaces.
In addition, the city's 6,300 "block captains" are notified and asked to check on elderly neighbors. Block captains are individuals appointed by the city to assist vulnerable residents in their neighborhood.
The Public Health Department also takes the lead on activating a number of special summer heat responses, including:
- Home-visits by field teams
- Activation of the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging's "Heatline"
- Enhanced daytime outreach for the homeless
- A "Buddy System"
The Heatline initiative is a telephone-based service where nurses are standing by to assist callers that may be experiencing health problems. If callers are deemed at-risk, mobile units are dispatched to that individual's residence. The Buddy System is a city-sponsored outreach effort that encourages the public to visit older friends, relatives, and neighbors during excessive heat events.
Cool Homes Program
The City of Philadelphia's
Energy
Coordinating Agency (ECA)
runs the "Cool Homes Program" for elderly low-income
residents, which provides non-mechanical cooling
measures that save energy and lower costs. ECA
implemented the program in direct response to a series
of deadly heat waves over the last ten years.
The goals are to:
- Reduce indoor temperatures to a comfortable level
- Minimize health risks
- Stabilize energy consumption
- Provide social interaction and outreach to seniors
Initially, 100 homes were targeted in the southwest
portion of the city, which is the area with the highest
incidence of heat-related mortality. The Cool Homes
Program was subsequently expanded to cover the
residences of over 400 elderly residents. ECA also
sponsored a "cool block" competition in which
participating homes received a free energy audit and
implemented recommendations from a range of cost-saving
options. Each home received a free
elastomeric
roof coating
in combination with roof insulation, interior air
sealing, and a window mounted whole-house fan.
An independent analysis of the program indicates
that the roof coatings and insulation lower solar heat
gain by 80%. On hot days this reduces indoor ceiling
temperatures by an average of five degrees, and bedroom
air temperatures by two and one-half degrees. ECA
anticipates that the resulting indoor temperature
change will reduce daily cooling loads by about 30,000
(
British
Thermal Units
), or the equivalent of running an 8000 Btu per hour
window air conditioner for four hours.
How is Chicago Responding to Heat Waves?
In the event that an extreme weather emergency is declared in Chicago:
- The Department of Human Services operates 24-hour cooling centers and provides transportation
- The Department on Aging's senior centers have extended hours
- The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities contacts more than 100 disability advocacy organizations, asking them to check on the health and safety of their clients
- Staff from the Department of Human Services, Department on Aging, and the Chicago Housing Authority visits at-risk residents in their homes and telephones others to ensure they are well
- The Department of Public Health monitors nursing homes and hospital emergency rooms, and deploys mobile assessment teams of nurses
- The Department of Water Management closely observes water pressure around the city and shuts off illegally opened fire hydrants
- The Department of Buildings inspects high-risk buildings to ensure that windows are open and ventilation systems are functioning
- Extra tow trucks from the Department of Streets and Sanitation are made available to assist stranded motorists
- The Chicago Public Schools limits students' strenuous activities and modifies dress codes
- The Extreme Weather Notification System places automatic telephone calls to at-risk individuals in advance of a heat wave or severe cold (the calls consist of a recorded message of weather forecasts, safety tips, and information on City services)
In response to a heat wave in 1995 that killed over 700 people, the City of Chicago initiated its Extreme Weather Operations Plan. The plan lists mitigation steps taken by city officials during heat waves to protect vulnerable residents. Participating agencies and departments include:
- The Fire Commissioner
- Mayor's Office of Inquiry and Information
- Department of Human Services
- Department on Aging
- Department of Public Health
- Water Department
- Department of Buildings
- Police Department
- Housing Authority
- Public schools
- Public libraries
The city's plan goes into effect when the National Weather Service declares a Heat Watch or Heat Warning. Afterwards, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications takes the lead by notifying city officials, mobilizing emergency responders, and coordinating agency actions.
As part of the city's overall plan, the Department on Aging also formed a Seniors Well-Being Task Force. The group encourages public and private organizations to identify seniors who need monitoring and assistance. The Department asks block clubs, faith-based groups, utility companies, the Postal Service and other organizations to be on the alert for older adults showing signs of mental or physical distress, especially if they live alone. The task force encourages residents to make sure windows can be opened without excessive effort, and that they are equipped with screens.