City of Fresno 2009 Cooling Center Policy

When the National Weather Service forecasts a high of 105 degrees or hotter:

· At noon, the City will activate the following six (6) Cooling Centers strategically located throughout the city and will remain open until 9:00pm. NOTE: Cooling Centers will be opened regardless of reductions to operating hours at various facilities.

- Frank H. Ball, 760 Mayor - Map

- Ted C. Wills Community Center, 770 N. San Pablo - Map

- Mosqueda Community Center, 4670 E. Butler - Map

- Pinedale Community Center, 7170 N. San Pablo - Map

- Melody Neighborhood Center, 5935 E. Shields - Map

- Romain Neighborhood Center, 745 N. First - Map

· If capacity is reached at one or more of the initial six (6) sites, PARCS has identified these additional four sites that can be opened as necessary:

- Highway City Neighborhood Center, 5140 N. State - Map

- Dickey Youth Development Center, 1515 E. Divisadero - Map

- Holmes Neighborhood Center, 212 S. First - Map

- Mary Brown Community Center, 1350 E. Annadale - Map

· The City’s FAX Bus system will provide free transportation along normal routes to and from the Cooling Center sites.

· To ride free, residents must indicate they are traveling to a Cooling Center

· PARCS will post signs at each center that specifically identify the time of the last FAX bus departure from that location – for both Saturdays and Sundays when Cooling Center operation lasts an hour beyond FAX service.

· PARCS will provide free swimming from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at all City operated pool locations.

· For the Summer of 2009, PARCS will be operating four (4) standard pools, three (3) high school pools and five (5) learner pools

Non-Forecasted Activation

If the forecast is below 105 degrees, City officials will monitor conditions throughout the day and may call for activation at. If it becomes apparent that the daily high will break 105 degrees, or if it has already reached that mark, PARCS will immediately notify the One Call Center (621-2489), the Webmaster (621-7123) and the FAX Dispatch office (621-1425).

- PARCS will also generate an email to the Cooling Center distribution list and the City’s Communication team will assist with notification of local media.

- PARCS will have the six regular cooling center facilities opened within 90 minutes following the notification of all City involved staff.

- If the non-forecasted opening occurs before 5pm, the pools will also be notified and entry fees will be waived.

- Additional activations may occur at any time if urgent public health and safety issues arise or the City faces prolonged periods of intense heat (i.e. 5+ days).

For information or assistance with the City Heat Relief Plan call (559) 621-CITY (2489) .

Don't forget your pets!
The Central California SPCA ‘s recommendations for animals during extreme heat:
If you or your family should have to visit one of Fresno City’s Cooling Centers we recommend that you leave your pets at home where they are content and secure and make sure that you provide plenty of SHADE and FRESH water. They will need plenty of fresh water in drowning safe containers that are out of direct sun. It is much more stress on the- animals to transport them and keep them in an unfamiliar place. Remember that the shade areas will change as the sun passes overhead and the animals should have shade through out the day. The exception to this being service animals should you need them with you at the cooling center. Thank you for caring for your animals and protecting them.

Never leave your pet in a parked car.

For further information on Hot Weather Tips and Help please visit www.ccspca.com or call the Education Department at 559-233-0115.



Visalia Cooling Center information:

CITY OF VISALIA OPENS COOLING CENTER
In response to the National Weather Service forecast of hot weather this weekend, the City of Visalia
will open its Transit Center as a Cooling Center for the community’s use 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Wednesday, July 15th through Saturday, July 18th.
The Transit Center, located at 425 E. Oak Ave., provides amenities such as ample seating, vending
machines and restrooms. All of the Bus Routes eventually lead to the Transit Center, providing
convenient transportation.
The Visalia Fire Department provides the following tips to help cope with the coming heat:
• Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and, when possible, stay in the shade or an airconditioned
room.
• Wear loose fitting, light colored clothes.
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids.
• Never leave children or pets in a vehicle, even for short periods of time. Temperatures inside
vehicles can climb rapidly to life-threatening levels, even with the windows partially open.
• Periodically check on children and the elderly. Remember that animals are affected by the
heat. Make sure pets and farm animals have plenty of water and access to shade.


Merced Cooling Center information:

The City of Merced is opening its Cooling Center today, Wednesday, July 15, because of the expected high temperatures in the San Joaquin Valley.

The Cooling Center will be open from 3:30 to 8 p.m. in the Sam Pipes Room of the Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th St.
The Center will be staffed by the Parks and Community Services Department.

The Center also will be open Thursday, July 16 and Friday, July 17, as temperatures are forecast to reach 105 degrees.
During the hot weather everyone should drink plenty of fluids, avoid caffeine and alcohol, dress in cool clothes, wear a hat and stay out of the sun whenever possible.

Residents are asked to check up on neighbors who may be susceptible to excessive heat such as the elderly, infirmed or those with young children. Check up on them twice a day to make sure they are OK. And remember that pets also need extra care and water due to the hot weather.