Vancouver Gets BC's First Extreme Hot Weather Response Plan

Council adopted the first ever extreme hot weather response plan in response to a motion I brought forward last September with Councillor Kerry Jang in the wake of the death of Mr. Curtis Brick during the July 2009 heat wave.

Mr. Brick, a homeless man living in the Grandview Woodlands neighbourhood, lay outside in the sun for many hours in Grandview Park. By the time someone thought to call emergency services, he was unable to be revived and passed away.

The response from staff to our motion was swift and amazing, going well beyond the original motion to develop a full and coordinated response that will be put in place immediately.

While it's too late for Mr. Brick, the plan will help ensure that people living in vulnerable situations either out on the street or isolated in their homes, can survive the predicted increases in extreme heat events.

Press release from the City follows:

City of Vancouver - News Release - July 6, 2010

Council approves extreme hot weather plan; Mayor calls for community approach

Vancouver City Council today approved an Extreme Hot Weather Preparedness and Response Plan, the first of its kind in any BC municipality and one that will be implemented in the days ahead as high summer temperatures are forecast for the region.

“Extreme heat for several days can pose a serious health risk for some citizens,” Mayor Gregor Robertson said. “Our plan will maximize our community partnerships so we can reach out to vulnerable people, raise awareness of the impacts of heat and ensure people are prepared and have a plan to keep cool.

“As the temperature goes up, we all need to be good neighbours. Check on seniors and people who don’t get out much, make sure people have water and shade, do errands for neighbours and let’s work together to make sure we help those around us get through the hot weather safely.”

Under the plan approved by Council, City staff will work closely with Vancouver Coastal Health and other community partners to:
·     use a heat advisory system to communicate the increasing risk to human health posed by weather conditions;
·     distribute informative educational materials on how to stay cool and how to identify and guard against heat-induced illness like heat stroke;
·     distribute heat and health awareness information to front-line City, police, home support and health and housing outreach workers for distribution to the public and in particular vulnerable seniors, homeless and people with marginal housing;
·    develop a broad public-awareness campaign to help the public understand and use appropriate heat-coping strategies; and,
·    identify public washrooms, water sources and locations where people can find shade and socialize in cooler spaces.

City Council has also directed staff to explore the need and feasibility of purchasing a potable water truck to distribute water to areas of greatest need and locate it at events during periods of high heat or emergencies.  The City will also pilot portable water stations, an initiative developed during the Olympic Games and used last weekend at the Jazz Festival.

“By working together and reaching out to home-bound, vulnerable seniors and at-risk citizens throughout the city, we will help people cope with summer heat and stay safe,” the Mayor added.

The Extreme Hot Weather Preparedness and Response Plan outlines a multi-phase approach that during 2010 will focus on vulnerable seniors and people who are homeless or whose housing is marginal.
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Media contact:
Corporate Communications
604.871.6336
media@vancouver.ca

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