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Good Afternoon AWS Service Providers,
The Advance Warning System (AWS) disseminates information to New Yorkers with disabilities and access and functional needs through their service providers. Please share the important information below with your clients and other agencies or individuals to empower them to make informed decisions:
The New York City Emergency Management Department (NYCEM) and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) today advised that hot weather that could be dangerous to vulnerable populations is forecast for Sunday, July 19 and Monday, July 20, 2015. According to the National Weather Service, the heat index is expected to reach or exceed 95 degrees Sunday and Monday. NYC Emergency Management urges New Yorkers to take precautions to prevent serious illness that can result from the heat, especially among vulnerable individuals such as seniors and those with chronic health problems or mental health conditions. New Yorkers who are vulnerable should use air conditioning to stay cool, go to a place that has air conditioning if it is not available at home, drink water at regular intervals, and limit strenuous activity, especially during the hottest parts of the day. New Yorkers are urged to check in on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors to help them stay cool.
City cooling centers will be open Sunday July 19, and Monday, July 20 to help New Yorkers stay cool. Cooling centers are air conditioned facilities, such as Department for the Aging (DFTA) senior centers, libraries, and community centers, that are open to the public during heat emergencies. To find the cooling center closest to you, call 311 (TTY: 212-504-4155) or visit NYC Emergency Management's Cooling Center locator at www.nyc.gov/oem.
We are encouraging all organizations that serve individuals with disabilities or access and functional needs to prepare their constituents for this heat event. Organizations like yours play a critical role in preventing some of the most devastating effects of extreme summer heat.
During periods of very hot weather, people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs are at a greater risk for heat-related illness. Older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, and those taking certain medications should consult with their doctors about complications due to extreme heat.
Please click here to read the Department of Health's Heat Wave Preparedness Checklists for Vulnerable Populations Service Providers
If at-risk clients have an air conditioner, encourage them to use it during a heat event. If an at-risk individual does not have an air conditioner, discuss other options for staying cool, such as New York City's cooling centers.
You can find the cooling centers closest to your location by clicking here: http://maps.nyc.gov/oem/cc
Hot weather is also dangerous for pets. Dogs and cats can become dehydrated quickly so give your pet plenty of water when it's hot out. Make sure to provide your pet a shady place to escape from the sun and hot asphalt and never leave an animal alone in a parked vehicle. Signs of an overheated pet include excessive panting, difficulty breathing, an increased heart or respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, seizures or an elevated body temperature over 104 degrees. Pet owners should make sure that all open windows feature tightly secured screens to prevent falling injuries and deaths. Similarly pets should not be left unsupervised around a pool.
Click here for more pet safety tips from the ASPCA.
Please do all that you can to keep yourself and your constituents safe and cool through this extreme heat!
NYCEM Human Services Unit:
Human Services ESF List email distribution list (sends to all listed below): humanservicesESFList@oem.nyc.gov
Christopher PagnottaAdvance Warning/Community Outreach SpecialistCell: 347-578-1485cpagnotta@oem.nyc.govJohanna ConroyDirector of Human ServicesCell: 917-662-3295jconroy@oem.nyc.govMarianne JacksonSpecial Needs LiaisonCell: 646-879-7232mjackson@oem.nyc.govEli FresquezSenior Human Services DAFN PlannerCell: 347-386-0389efresquez@oem.nyc.govCynthia BartonDisaster Housing Recovery Program ManagerCell: 917-468-2768cbarton@oem.nyc.govJonas BallreichHuman Services Emergency Preparedness SpecialistCell: 347-374-1058jballreich@oem.nyc.govJay BrandtHuman Services Emergency Preparedness ManagerCell: 646-596-3147jbrandt@oem.nyc.govMarnie SussHuman Services Emergency Support Function CoordinatorCell: 917-468-1728msuss@oem.nyc.govAnnette SantiagoAssistant Commissioner of Human ResourcesCell: 347-534-7028asantiago@oem.nyc.govSonia AjwaniHuman Services Emergency Support Function CoordinatorCell: 646-628-7684sajwani@oem.nyc.govElizabeth AngelesHuman Services Emergency Support Function CoordinatorCell: 646-628-7754eageles@oem.nyc.gov