Extreme Heat Preparedness Objectives What is extreme heat ? How does - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Extreme Heat Preparedness

Objectives

What is extreme heat? How does it impact SF? What are the health effects of heat? How do we prepare for extreme heat?

“What is extreme heat?”

Extreme Heat in the City

Chicago Heat Wave of 1995

A Tale of Two Neighborhoods

Climate Change Effects

http://epa.gov/climatestudents/scientists/clues.html

High temperature weather; above average San Francisco: 85°F+

What is extreme heat?

• Unseen hazard
• A major public health concern
• #1 cause of weather-related deaths
• Heat related illnesses are preventable!

Why is extreme heat important?

Extreme Heat Projection

Most severe, Longest heat wave in CA since 1948

July 2006 Heat Wave

• Peaked at 95°
• High night temperature
• Elderly, people with medical conditions,

and limited access residents

San Francisco: July 2006 Heat Wave

• Not adapted
• No air conditioners
• Urban city environment
• Population

What makes SF vulnerable?

Predicted Warm Neighborhoods

Chinatown Nob Hill Financial District Downtown Civic Center South of Market Western Addition Mission Potrero Hill Bayview Excelsior Haight Ashbury Castro/Upper Market Noe Valley

Vulnerable Neighborhoods

Be Aware

“What are the health effects of extreme heat?”

• Infants & young children
• Elderly
• Persons who:
• Overweight/obese
• Disabled
• Chronic conditions
• Use certain medications/

illegal drugs

• Work or exercise outside

Who is at-risk?

Activity

Sun Burn

• Skin burn
• Fever

Heat Spasm

• Muscle cramp from
• ver sweating

Heat Exhaustion

• Thirst
• Cool & moist skin
• Weak or fast pulse
• Shallow or fast

breathing Respiratory problems

What are heat illnesses?

What are heat illnesses?

Heat Stroke

• High body temp.
• Hot & dry skin
• Rapid & strong pulse
• No sweat
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness
• Convulsions

Heat strokes are life-threatening.

When to seek medical attention

Call 911 immediately:

• Signs of heat stroke
• Symptoms worsen or
• do not subside in a hour
• Body temperature 103° F or higher
• Victim is an at-risk person

Be Prepared

“How can we prepare for extreme heat?”

Cool down

• Shaded or air-conditioned
• Cool compresses or water

Hydrate

• Drink water or sports drink
• Hydration solution: 2 tbs

sugar, ½ tsp salt, 1 quart water Rest

How to stay cool

• Wear appropriate

clothing

• Eat small meals &

drink water

• Take cool showers or

baths

• Monitor weather

conditions

• Check on seniors &

the disabled

What to do

AVOID

• Peak hours

(10am to 4pm)

• Intense exercise
• Alcoholic, caffeinated,
• r sugared drinks
• Foods high in protein
• r salt
• Use of illegal drugs

What Not to Do

• Do not use the stove
• r oven
• Get a home

thermometer

• Be aware of high

indoor temperature

• Go to lowest fmoor

What to do at home

If air-conditioning is not available:

• Shade windows
• House fan
• Cooling Center

What to do at home

• Avoid outdoors (10am-4pm)
• Hats and sunscreen
• Drink water (2-4 cups/hr)
• Hand-held fan
• Shaded areas
• NEVER leave an infant, child,
• r pet in vehicle

What to do outside

• Present to your staff & clients
• Partner with other agencies
• Emphasize the buddy system

Actions for your agency

• Public notifjcations
• Radio stations

680 AM 740 AM 810 AM

• Collaboration and

coordination

• Cooling Centers

How the city will respond

Let’s Review

“What did we learn about extreme heat?”

• 1. Who are most at risk?

Infants, small children and elders, also:

• verweight/obese, people with disabilities
• r medical conditions, people taking certain

medication/illegal drugs, people who work

• r exercise outside
• 1. Who are most at risk?

• 2. What is the most severe heat

illness? What are the symptoms?

Heat Stroke: high body temp., hot & dry skin, rapid & strong pulse, no sweat, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness, convulsions

• 2. What is the most severe heat

illness? What are the symptoms?

• 3. How do you cool down

and hydrate?

Cool down

• Shaded or Air-conditioned environment
• Cold compresses or cool water

Hydrate

• Drink plenty of water or sports drink
• Hydration solution
• 3. How do you cool down

and hydrate?

• 4. What are the peak hours to

avoid the outdoors?

10 am – 4 pm

• 4. What are the peak hours to

avoid the outdoors?

San Francisco Department of Public Health – Climate Change Initiative www.sfdph.org/dph/EH/ClimateChange California Department of Public Health www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov/extremeheat Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Population Health Division San Francisco Department of Public Health

Resources

Environmental Health Services Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response

Thank you