When Weather Kills: Heat Response Plans Roger D. Colton Fisher, Sheehan & Colton National Low-Income Energy Consortium June 2003

Heat is the most dangerous of extreme weather conditions. Hurricanes Tornadoes Lightning Floods Hot weather 14 deaths 57 deaths 58 deaths 99 deaths 193 deaths

Weather Event Fatalities and Injuries:

Seniors living at home most at risk of heat fatalities

Low-income status as risk factor Tenements ill-suited to hot weather. High cooling burdens. –Of 185 electric utilities, 37 had summer burdens of 20%+ –66 more had summer burdens of % Safety concerns--closed windows.

The “urban heat island” effect Caused by concrete cover and lack of vegetation. Amplifies temperature by degrees (F). Exacerbated in late afternoon and early evening (no cool down).

Air-conditioning as risk mitigation. Air-conditioning is the #1 protection against heat- related death and illness (CDC). Exposure for even a few hours a day reduces the risk. 21% of all heat-related deaths in NYC between 1964 and 1988 could have been prevented by air conditioning. Particularly needed when 5+ days of average temperature over 75 degrees.

Milwaukee’s Heat Response Plan Tied to three “Heat Action Thresholds” –Heat Health Outlook –Heat Health Watch –Heat Health Warning (issued by National Weather Service)

Milwaukee’s Heat Response Plan: Component #1 of 4 Identify “at-risk” persons. –Elderly, disabled, chronically ill, mentally ill, obese. –Create “Extreme Weather Registry” Assignment to buddy. Community check-ins.

Milwaukee’s Heat Response Plan: Component #2 of 4 Consumer education –Raise public awareness of heat index to same level as public awareness of wind chill. –What to do in extreme hot weather.

Milwaukee’s Heat Response Plan: Component #3 of 4 Access to cooling. –Home cooling for immobile. –“Congregate cooling facilities” –Extended hour congregate facilities –Emergency cooling facilities (buses, etc.)

Milwaukee’s Heat Response Plan: Component #4 of 4 Heat-related assistance –Where are congregate cooling facilities located? –What in-home cooling measures can be used? –Where can immediate medical attention be obtained? (guaranteed after-hour availability)

Heat Response Plans: Role of the Low-Income Energy Community Advocate for Heat Response Plan creation. Locate Extreme Weather Registry. Coordinate “congregate cooling facilities.” Education regarding extreme heat. Outreach for and about Extreme Heat Registry.

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