Dayton Activates Heat Emergency Plan


Release Date: Tuesday, August 1, 2006

Contact: Lt. David Wright, Dayton Fire Department, 333-4536



As a result of the heat advisory issued by the Montgomery County Combined Health District, the City of Dayton has activated its Heat Emergency Plan to help area residents escape the excessively hot temperatures. Residents should take immediate action to protect themselves from the dangerously high temperatures. Families and neighbors are also asked to check on elderly residents and other at-risk individuals. The City’s Heat Emergency Plan will be in place for as long as a heat advisory warning is in effect for Montgomery County.



As part of its Heat Emergency Plan, the City of Dayton has designated its recreation centers as “cooling centers” during regular business hours. City personnel will monitor the situation and may extend the hours of operation according to the need and demand for their use. If necessary, EMS personnel may check conditions at the City’s cooling centers and offer assistance as needed. Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units are also equipped and ready to treat heat-related illnesses.



The following locations have been designated as public cooling centers:



City of Dayton Recreation & Youth Services facilities, including pools.
Bomberger Teen Center, 1306 E. Fifth St.
Lohrey Recreation Center and Belmont Pool, 2366 Glenarm Ave.
Northwest Recreation Center and Dabney Pool, 1600 Princeton Dr.
Burkhardt Recreation Center, 215 Burkhardt Ave.
Richard A. Ellison Senior Citizens Center, 2412 W. Third St.
Stuart Patterson Recreation Center, 238 Baltimore St.
Westwood Recreation Center, 611 Leland Ave.
Riverbend Art Center, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave.


RTA Hubs
South: 2730 Lyons Rd.
North: 2075 Shiloh Springs Rd.
West: Westown Shopping Center
East: Eastown Shopping Center
Downtown: Wright Stop Plaza, 4 S. Main Street


For more information on the City of Dayton’s Heat Emergency Plan, contact Lt. David Wright at 333-4536.











Reminders for Dealing with Excessive Heat



DO:

Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations, such as malls or libraries.
Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air.
Take a cool bath or shower.
Minimize direct exposure to the sun.
Stay hydrated – regularly drink water or other non-alcoholic fluids.
Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods, such as fruits or salads.
Wear loose fitting, light-colored clothes.
Check on older, sick or frail people who may need help in responding to the heat.
Know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses.


DON’T:

Direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when the room temperature is hotter than 90 degrees.
Leave children and pets alone in cars for any amount of time.
Drink alcohol to try to stay cool.
Eat heavy, hot or hard-to-digest foods.
Wear heavy, dark clothing.