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.
Summer in New York City brings serious hazards: extreme heat, poor air quality, and hurricanes. New York City Emergency Management asks that Advance Warning System partners take proactive steps to prepare staff and safeguard clients, particularly people with disabilities and others with access or functional needs (DAFN), who face significantly higher risks during weather emergencies. Focused planning and early action are essential to protect the health and safety of these vulnerable populations.
EXTREME HEAT SAFETY AND COOLING ASSISTANCE
Extreme heat is NYC’s deadliest weather hazard. The following groups are at highest risk for heat-related illness:
- Adults aged 60 and older
- Infants and young children
- Individuals with physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental health disabilities
- People with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or respiratory illnesses
- People taking certain medications that impair the body’s heat response
- People without access to air conditioning
- Socially isolated individuals
- People experiencing homelessness
- People who are overweight or work outdoors
Many in these groups face added barriers to regulating body temperature, accessing cool spaces, or responding effectively to heat alerts.
Actions for Providers:
- Ensure all staff are trained to recognize and respond to heat-related illness (headache, nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps, confusion). Call 911 in any emergency.
- Help clients sign up for Notify NYC at NYC.gov/notifynyc, by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692, or by calling 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115) to receive emergency alerts, including heat advisories.
- Conduct regular outreach to vulnerable clients during heat waves. Arrange for daily check-ins by caregivers, family members, or neighbors for clients who live alone or have limited mobility.
- Assist clients using life-sustaining electrical equipment (respirators, oxygen concentrators, dialysis machines) to register with utility providers for priority notifications during outages. ConEd customers: 1-877-582-6633 or online via “MyAccount.” PSEG customers: 1-800-490-0025.
Cooling Resources & Strategies
- Air conditioning is the most effective protection against heat-related illness. Encourage clients to use their A/C, set around 78°F for safety and energy efficiency. Fans alone are not sufficient in high heat.
- If a client lacks air conditioning, help them identify “Cool Options”: senior centers, libraries, shopping centers, museums, or a friend or relative’s air-conditioned home. NYC Cooling Centers are available during heat emergencies; To locate one, visit the Cool Options Finder or call 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115). Always confirm hours and accessibility in advance. Service animals are welcome.
- If clients do not wish to visit a location on the Cool Options Finder, help them locate another safe, air-conditioned space to go, such as the home of a family member or friend.
- Direct clients to Con Edison’s Financial Assistance Program for discounted rates on monthly electricity and natural gas bills for qualified households. To sign up online, clients can visit the Con Edison website.
- Assist eligible clients in applying for HEAP Cooling Assistance for A/C installation or utility bill relief. The 2025 application period opened on April 15 and closes when funds run out. Early application is essential. More information: on.nyc.gov/heap2025
Health Recommendations to Share with Clients:
- Stay in air-conditioned spaces, especially during the hottest hours (11 AM–4 PM).
- Drink water frequently, unless restricted by a doctor.
- Avoid strenuous activities outdoors during peak heat.
- Wear loose, light-colored clothing and apply sunscreen when outdoors.
- Never leave children, dependent adults, or pets in parked cars.
- Avoid cold showers after overheating, as they may trigger dizziness or nausea.
Sample Client Conversation
“I want to check in with you because the weather is getting dangerously hot. Do you have an air
conditioner at home? If not, let’s figure out a cool place you can go during the hottest part of the day,
like a Cooling Center, a library, or a friend’s home. It’s important because fans alone are not enough
when it’s this hot. Also, remember to drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty, and avoid
going out between 11 AM and 4 PM. Do you have someone who can check in with you during the heat
wave? If not, let’s set that up.”
AIR QUALITY PREPAREDNESS
Poor air quality events can pose health risks, especially for:
- People with asthma, heart or lung conditions
- Children and older adults
- People who work outdoors or spend extended time outside
Actions for Providers:
- Monitor Air Quality Alerts through Notify NYC or weather apps like airnow.gov
- Advise vulnerable clients to reduce outdoor activities and stay in filtered, air-conditioned environments during alerts.
- Distribute N95 or KN95 masks to clients who must go outside during poor air quality events, if available.
Sample Client Conversation
“There’s an air quality alert today because of high pollution levels. Are you planning to go outside? If you can, please stay indoors, especially if you have asthma or heart or lung conditions. Keep your windows closed and use air conditioning if you have it. If you must go out, do you have an N95 or KN95 mask to help protect your lungs? Let me know if you need one or if you start feeling symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath.”
HURRICANE SEASON: JUNE - NOVEMBER
New York City’s coastal neighborhoods and low-lying, flood-prone areas face heightened vulnerability during hurricane season. Heavy rainfall, storm surge, and strong winds can lead to dangerous flooding, power outages, infrastructure damage, and life-threatening conditions, particularly for residents in evacuation zones. Service providers must prioritize preparedness efforts for medically vulnerable clients, those with disabilities, and individuals relying on electricity-dependent equipment. Early planning, clear evacuation strategies, and coordination with emergency resources are essential to safeguard these populations before, during, and after a hurricane.
Actions for Providers:
- Identify clients who live in evacuation zones using the NYC Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder and assist in creating evacuation plans.
- Encourage clients to prepare a Go Bag with medications, identification, contact info, and essential supplies.
- Support medically vulnerable clients in planning for evacuation and power outages, especially those who use electricity-dependent equipment.
- Clients who use electronic life-support equipment (LSE) at home (e.g., respirators, dialysis machines, apnea monitors), should register with their utility provider to be contacted in the event of an emergency. ConEd customers can call 1-877-582-6633 or use “MyAccount” online. PSEG customers can call 1-800-490-0025.
Recommendations for Clients:
- Sign up for Notify NYC for hurricane alerts and evacuation notices.
- Know your evacuation zone and nearest hurricane evacuation center.
- Avoid flood zones during storms, stay clear of downed power lines, and follow official evacuation notices without delay.
Sample Client Conversation
“Hurricane season is here, and I want to make sure you’re prepared. Do you know if you live in an evacuation zone? We can look it up together. You should have a Go Bag ready with your medications, important papers, and supplies. Do you rely on any medical equipment that needs electricity? If so, we need to make sure you’re registered with the utility company and have a backup plan in case of power outages. If the City issues an evacuation order, it’s very important to follow it right away. Let’s work on your plan now so you’re ready.”
AWS partners are on the front lines of protecting the most vulnerable New Yorkers during the summer’s most dangerous hazards. To summarize, you should take decisive action now: ensure staff are trained, identify and check in on at-risk clients, confirm that those without air conditioning have safe cooling options, help clients prepare for poor air quality days, and make sure evacuation and power outage plans are in place well before a hurricane strikes. Thank you for all you do to keep your fellow New Yorkers safe.
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.