Extreme Heat Resources

Extreme heat can be deadly and it disproportionately impacts communities of color, older adults and low-income residents. The COVID-19 emergency is making it harder to safely offer cooling solutions that municipalities have used for years. Many communities in Massachusetts are still determining whether and how to safely open cooling centers, splash-pads, parks, and pools, and plan for other outdoor cooling options.

PVPC has compiled list of recent resources that may be helpful to municipalities who want to help residents stay cool—and healthy--this summer.

We will be updating these resources throughout the summer, so please check back for updated information.

Resources for residents
These resources are specific to Pioneer Valley residents.

Utility Costs and Air Conditioning:

Community Action Agencies:
- Contact your local community action agency for information about utility bill assistance and/or free home energy improvements for low-income households:
  - Springfield Partners for Community Action-http://www.springfieldpartnersinc.com/whatwedo/weatherizationassistance/
  - Valley Opportunity Council-all other munis in Hampden County: https://www.valleyopp.com/energy-assistance/fuel-assistance
  - Community Action of the Pioneer Valley: https://www.communityaction.us/home-energy-assistance
  - Find other Community Action Agencies here: masscap.org/agencies/

MassSave:
- Programs for low-income eligible residents, including to swap out current AC or dehumidifiers for more efficient models: https://www.masssave.com/saving/income-based-offers/income-eligible-programs
- Air Conditioner Rebate program: https://www.masssave.com/en/saving/residential-rebates/room-air-conditioners
- Energy Saving Tips during COVID-19: https://www.masssave.com/en/covid19-update/residential-tips
- General Energy Saving Tips: https://www.masssave.com/en/learn/residential/energy-saving-tips

Eversource:
- New Start- Income-eligible utility bill forgiveness program: https://www.eversource.com/content/ema-c/residential/my-account/billing-payments/help-pay-my-bill/nu-start
- Discounted electricity rates to income eligible participants: https://www.eversource.com/content/ema-c/residential/my-account/billing-payments/help-pay-my-bill/discount-rate

National Grid:
- Utility Bill Forgiveness program: https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Bill-Help/Forgiveness-Program
- Payment assistance and reduced electricity rates program: https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Bill-Help/Payment-Assistance-Programs

General Tips for Extreme Heat and Cooling (not COVID-19 related)

Massachusetts Extreme Heat Safety Tips: General guidance around heat related illnesses
CDC’s Extreme Heat Guidance: General guidance around heat related illnesses and specific guidance for vulnerable populations, includes template social media graphics and infographics

Resources for municipalities

Guidance from Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
- Primarily focused on re-opening of offices, but has some guidance on affordable housing residents and preparing for heat, including recommendations to connect with municipal cooling centers and providing transportation and providing back-up AC for residents.
- It details a funding source ($10k per LHA) that can be used to make their office space safer to reopen and at the end it includes some suggestions for cooling. Besides this funding source, the LHAs also have Formula Funding and/or Operating Reserves, which they can access for costs related to cooling projects.
- Questions and additional requests for funding cooling equipment such as misters for exterior cooling should be sent to their DHCD Project Manager.
CDC Guidance for Administering Parks and Recreation
- Includes recommendations for signage, keeping restrooms open, swimming pools, maintaining social distancing at parks etc…
Massachusetts EEA Guidance for Parks and Recreation
- Includes for swimming, pools, parks, slash pads/spray decks, and other outdoor recreation opportunities
CDC Guidance on Cooling Centers
- For Federal, state, local, and tribal jurisdictions in the United States considering opening or operating cooling centers during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Includes screening people for symptoms, social distancing, air filtration, cleaning, communication, and PPE for people using the cooling center.

See What Other Municipalities are Doing:

City of Somerville “Keep Cool” webpage- https://www.somervillema.gov/keepcool
City of Boston “Keeping Cool in the Heat”- https://www.boston.gov/departments/emergency-management/keeping-cool-heat

Stay Safe in High Heat
Hot and humid weather challenge your body's ability to cool itself. You or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness if you heat up too quickly, or if you lose too much fluid or salt through dehydration or sweating.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat illness, and recommended first aid steps. Some of these symptoms and steps are listed below.

In an emergency, call 911.
Always call 911 in a medical emergency, including heatstroke and heat exhaustion.

Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms

Heavy sweating
Weakness
Cold, pale, and clammy skin
Fast, weak pulse
Nausea or vomiting
Fainting

What You Should Do

Move to a cooler location.
Lie down and loosen your clothing.
Apply cool, wet cloths to as much of your body as possible.
Sip water.
If you have vomited and it continues, seek medical attention immediately.

Heat Stroke
Symptoms

High body temperature (above 103°F)
Hot, red, dry or moist skin
Rapid and strong pulse
Possible unconsciousness

What You Should Do

Call 911 immediately — this is a medical emergency.
Move the person to a cooler environment.
Reduce the person's body temperature with cool cloths or even a bath.
Do NOT give fluids.

Source: The United States Centers for Disease Control

Call 211 for Emergency Relief Information
Mass 211 "connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community". If you need information about cooling centers or other emergency relief, but you are not calling about a medical emergency, call 211.

Prepare

Check the weather regularly to be prepared for especially hot days.
Install air conditioners snugly, and ensure ducts are sealed and insulated.
Use light-colored shades or blinds to reflect light away from your home.

Caring for yourself

Stay well-hydrated.
Carry a water bottle and refill it regularly.
Pay extra attention to how you're feeling.
Pace yourself or rest if you are feeling tired.

Caring for others

Check on your neighbors to make sure they're doing okay. People have saved lives in heat wave by taking a moment to check in on neighbors.
Make sure not to leave pets or children in cars, even if the windows are open. Cars overheat quickly on hot days.
The CDC has more about staying safe in extreme heat events.

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Extreme Heat Resources

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