The Advance Warning System (AWS) disseminates information to people with disabilities and others with 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.
Dear AWS Partners,
We ask you to share this information with your clients:
A heat advisory is in effect for New York City from 12 p.m. Monday, August 10 through 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 12.
Cooling centers are open across the city beginning Monday. To find the nearest location, including hours of operation, call 311 or visit the City’s Cooling Center Finder.
15 pools are open throughout the city.
WELLNESS CHECKS
New Yorkers are urged to check on family, friends and neighbors that may need help, especially those who may have been affected by power outages due to tropical storm Isaias.
If you, someone in your household, family or friends have non-life-threatening health or medical needs and require assistance, call 311. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.
CON EDISON PROVIDES DRY ICE LOCATIONS
FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 10th
Con Edison will distribute dry ice today three locations in New York City.
The company will also have a mobile information center at each location from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Workers will be available to answer customers’ questions.
New York City
· The Home Depot, 11220 Rockaway Boulevard Park, in Ozone Park, Queens. Distribution will be from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. or until supplies run out.
· The Staten Island Mall, 2655 Richmond Avenue, on Staten Island. Distribution will be from 10:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. or until supplies run out.
· The Home Depot, 1806 East Gun Hill Road, in the Bronx. Distribution will be from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. or until supplies run out.
Instructions for safe handling and disposal of dry ice are printed on the bag containing the ice. Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide and should be used only in well-ventilated areas. A reminder: children and pets should be kept safely away from dry ice.
The company is following safety guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the state, the city and the county for COVID-19, and asks customers to practice social distancing while waiting with others and speaking with Con Edison representatives. That will help ensure that everyone remains safe during the health crisis.
NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADVISE NEW YORKERS TO BEAT THE HEAT
August 10, 2020 — The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department today advised New Yorkers to take precautions to beat the heat. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory in effect for New York City from 12 p.m. Monday through 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 12. High heat and humidity are in the forecast each day, with heat index values in the mid to upper 90s. Cooling centers will open beginning today. Attendees must wear face coverings inside all cooling centers and adhere to social distancing guidelines. To find your nearest cooling center call 311 or visit the City’s Cooling Center Finder. Cool Streets, which are activated during heat emergencies, will be open. DOT’s Open Streets initiative highlights each Cool Street across the city.
“High heat and humidity are returning this week, and we encourage New Yorkers to take every necessary precaution to stay cool,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell. “Air conditioning is the best way to beat the heat; the City has opened cooling centers if you don’t have an air conditioner at home. Drink lots of water, wear loose, light clothing, and if you work outdoors, remember to take frequent breaks.”
“In this heat, it’s critical for New Yorkers, especially those with chronic physical and mental health conditions, to use air conditioning if they have it and get to a cool, air conditioned place if they don’t,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi. “I also urge New Yorkers to check in on friends, families and neighbors — virtually or at a distance — and help those who need it to get to a cool place, even if only for a few hours.”
Heat-related Illness
In New York City, most heat-related deaths occur after exposure to heat in homes without air conditioners. Air conditioning is the best way to stay safe and healthy when it is hot outside, but some people at risk of heat illness do not have or do not turn on an air conditioner. The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department urge New Yorkers to take steps to protect themselves and help others who may be at increased risk from the heat. For more information, including heat-related health tips and warning signs of heat illness, visit NYC.gov/health or NYC.gov/beattheheat.
To help New Yorkers beat the heat during heat emergencies, New York City has implemented a number of measures through the Cool It! NYC and Cool Streets initiatives. These initiatives will be available today through Wednesday, and include:
- More than 250 new cooling and misting sites in parks in heat-burdened neighborhoods
- More than 130 Cooling Centers open throughout the city
- More than 300 hydrants opened with spray caps installed by FDNY and DEP
- 16 Cool Streets
- Fifteen public pools open across the city
- 650 spray showers in city parks (available every day of the summer)
A citywide map of cooling elements can be found online at Cool It! NYC. The City has also installed close to 53,000 air conditioners to low-income seniors.
Cooling Centers
As the City continues its response to COVID-19, social distancing guidelines have been implemented to ensure the safety of any New Yorker who visits a cooling center to seek relief from the heat. Face coverings must be worn at all times inside cooling centers, and attendees must adhere to social distancing guidelines of six feet or more. Cooling centers will also operate at limited capacity. Cooling centers located at senior center locations will be reserved for seniors. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, individuals are reminded to stay at home if they are feeling sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.
Cooling center locations have changed from last year. To find a cooling center, including accessible facilities closest to you, call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or click here. Cooling centers are open today through Wednesday, August 12.
Pools
As an additional measure to stay cool and beat the heat, New Yorkers are invited to take a dip in any one of NYC Parks’ fifteen free public pools now open to the public. Pool goers are reminded that face coverings are now required to enter the facility, and standard pool protocols apply —bring a bathing suit, towel, and lock to secure belongings. Pool hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. More information can be found at https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/outdoor-pools.
Code Red
During extreme heat, the Department of Social Services (DSS) issues a Code Red Alert. During Code Reds, shelter is available to anyone experiencing homelessness, where those experiencing heat-related discomfort are also able to access a designated cooling area. Transportation to cooling centers is available via DSS outreach teams who engage with potentially homeless individuals every day of the year and intensify engagement during extreme heat.
Stay Informed
New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program. To sign up for Notify NYC, download the free mobile application, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
The Advance Warning System (AWS) alerts organizations who work with people with disabilities and access and functional needs to various types of hazards and emergencies in New York City that may affect people's independence and daily lives. Participating organizations receive public preparedness and emergency information that they can relay to their clients and other similar agencies. If you work for an organization that serves people with disabilities or access and functional needs you can subscribe for AWS Alerts at the following link: https://www.advancewarningsystemnyc.org/aws
Please do no reply to this e-mail. This mailbox is not monitored. To make changes or receive assistance with your account, please login to the AWS website or contact us through the AWS website. If you think you or someone else may have an emergency, call 911 immediately.