Heat emergency plan activated in California

SACRAMENTO
July 7, 2008 11:05am

In response to forecasts by the National Weather Service of temperatures in the 90s and 100s in many areas of California later this week and added concerns over increased levels of smoke and air pollution, California is implementing the second stage of its contingency plan for excessive heat emergencies.

“We are coordinating with state and local agencies to help keep people safe during this excessive heat wave,” says Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in issuing the implementation order Monday morning.

Phase II activities include the coordination by Office of Emergency Services of regularly scheduled conference calls with National Weather Service offices throughout the state, county emergency managers and representatives of key state agencies; increased outreach to the public and constituent groups by OES and other state agencies; the opening of cooling centers at state facilities; and contacts with licensed care facilities, hospitals and other facilities that serve seniors, persons with disabilities and other special needs populations.

The State Operations Center is already operating 24-hours a day to manage the state’s wildfire response, and they will now add key staff from other state agencies to closely monitor the heat wave and to respond to any heat-related issues.

There will also be excessive smoke in many areas as a result of the state’s wildfires, so the governor and public health officials continue to encourage people in those areas to stay inside and limit their physical activity, especially children, the elderly and people with asthma and other respiratory problems.