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State emergency, health officials urge Californians to prepare for extreme heat
Even though some areas of the state are experiencing June gloom, emergency preparedness and health officials are preparing for periods of elevated and extreme heat this summer and fall.
They're reviewing internal procedures, updating cooling center data bases and identifying state fairgrounds and facilities that serve as cooling centers¸ as well as implementing other “seasonal readiness” activities outlined in California’s Contingency Plan for Excessive Heat Emergencies.
And for good reason. On average, 56 Californians die each year due to heat-related emergencies while about 500 are hospitalized and 3,800 seek treatment at a hospital emergency room for heat-related symptoms.
At least 136 Californians tragically lost their lives due to illnesses prompted by the 13-day heat wave that surged through the state in July 2006.
As they prepare, state officials says now is the time for all Californians, particularly businesses, to take actions that could reduce, if not prevent, family members, friends, employees and co-workers from suffering heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other life-threatening illnesses.
“June has barely arrived, but we’ve already experienced highs ranging from the low to mid-90s in downtown Los Angeles and Paso Robles to the low 100s in the Antelope Valley and 109 and 111 at Palm Springs and Thermal airports,” said California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) Acting Southern Regional Administrator Doug Huls.
“Many areas of the N will orthern California haven’t been immune from similar temperatures,” noted Jim Brown, who oversees operations in Cal EMA’s Coastal and Inland regions. “So far this year, the thermometer has already surpassed 100 in Redding, reached 99 in Marysville, Modesto and Stockton, 97 in Concord, Santa Rosa and downtown Sacramento and 92 in San Jose”.
They noted that Cal EMA and its partner agencies are doing all they can to be prepared to respond to heat related emergencies this summer and fall, but every Californian needs to do his or her share in reducing heat-related injuries and deaths.
“Prolonged exposure to excessive temperatures can be extremely dangerous, if not deadly, particularly for infants, small children seniors and those with health problems,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health. “Last year was the hottest year on record in the United States. Heat waves in California are projected to occur earlier in the season, be more intense and last longer.”
Workers who are working outdoors are at special risk of heat illness. “All employers have a responsibility to provide safe working conditions,” said Ellen Widess, chief of Cal/OSHA.
California’s Heat Illness Prevention regulation requires all employers with outdoor workers to:
- Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention;
- Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least 1 quart per hour, and encourage them to do so;
- Provide a shaded area for workers to cool down. Employees should not wait until they feel sick to cool down;
- Give workers a period of time to get used to the heat, especially during a heat wave or for new workers;
- Prepare an emergency heat plan and train workers on steps to take if someone gets sick;
- Follow special high heat procedures when temperatures reach 95 degrees.
Simple steps most Californians can take now and during periods of extreme heat to reduce illness and death include:
- Reviewing and updating family emergency plans and contact information;
- Storing or replenishing supplies of emergency food, water and medications;
- Learning first aid and CPR;
- Determining whether family members who are elderly or have access and functional needs require help with powering devices, food, water, medications and transportation;
- Pre-identifying paratransit, dial-a-ride or other modes of transportation and assistance for those needing help;
- Installing window air conditioners and making sure ducts are properly insulated;
- Weather stripping doors; and
- Identifying places that can provide relief from the heat such as malls, theaters and locally operated cooling centers.
Additional information on preparing for heat-related emergencies is available at http://www.calema.ca.gov/PlanningandPreparedness/Pages/Heat.aspx , http://www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/beinformed/naturaldisasters/extremeheat/Pages/ExtremeHeat.aspx and http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/HeatIllnessInfo.html .