GREENFIELD — As a heat wave approaches New England, local organizations and emergency preparedness officials are shoring up resources for cooling centers and emergency response to support those in need.
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for eastern portions of Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties, effective at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, through 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. The warning notes there will be “dangerously hot conditions,” with heat indexes between 98 and 112 degrees.
A heat index is what the temperature feels like outside, which is measured using the air temperature and relative humidity. The forecast for Greenfield on Wednesday predicts a high of 98 with a heat index of 109, followed by more triple-digit heat indexes on Thursday and Friday before coming back into the upper 90s on Saturday for the Independence Day holiday. Overnight temperatures are expected to not bring much relief either, with temperatures in the upper 70s.
“We’re expecting dangerously high temperatures across Massachusetts over the next several days, and I want everyone to take this heat seriously,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement on Tuesday. “Whether you’re celebrating the Fourth of July, traveling or spending time outdoors with family and friends, please plan ahead and take the necessary precautions to stay safe. Check on your loved ones and neighbors, stay informed about the forecast and seek a cool place if you need one.”
The Boston Globe reports that this heat is driven by a high-pressure system, or a “heat dome,” stretching from the Midwest and into the East Coast. This weather event occurs when high pressure builds in the middle layers of the atmosphere, acting as a ceiling that keeps surface heat trapped.
According to the National Weather Service safety website, these hot temperatures can cause heat-related illnesses, with young children and infants, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and pregnant women at particular risk.
Heat exhaustion symptoms include dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, nausea and weakness. Muscle cramps and spasms in the legs and abdomen can be a first indicator of heat exhaustion. People with heat exhaustion should move into air conditioning, loosen tight clothes, take a cool bath and take sips of water.
Heat stroke can come as a result of heat exhaustion. Symptoms include a throbbing headache, confusion, loss of consciousness, a body temperature above 103 degrees, a rapid pulse, and hot, red, dry or damp skin. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that can be deadly, and anyone who is experiencing symptoms, or seeing someone show symptoms, should call 911 or get to a hospital immediately.
During heat events, people are encouraged to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, wear light colors and loose-fitting clothes, and protect their skin with sunscreen.
Eversource is also preparing for the heat, announcing Tuesday that it is ready to meet the demand and strain on the electrical grid that comes with heat waves. This includes activating its demand response programs that reduce strain on local electric systems during high-use periods.
“Our system operators are constantly monitoring the grid and are able to reroute power and shift other resources as needed, and our field crews are ready to respond to any potential outages or damage caused by strong isolated thunderstorms or other heat-related issues,” Eversource’s President of Massachusetts Electric Operations Doug Foley said in a statement.
The statement from the governor’s office also notes that the state Department of Public Utilities sent a letter on Monday to Eversource, National Grid and Municipal Light Plants to request that residential customers who are experiencing financial difficulties not have their power shut off during this extreme heat event or during another state-declared “Unhealthy Heat Alert” this summer.
Local preparations
As the heat prepares to set in over the next few days, municipal buildings, libraries and other locations are opening up, or extending hours, to act as cooling centers for people who need a break from the heat.
To prepare, the Opioid Task Force updated its Franklin County and North Quabbin Region Emergency Response Resources Guide for Unhoused Individuals, which includes a list of sites across Franklin County and the North Quabbin region that act as cooling centers, along with their addresses and open hours. Opioid Task Force Coordinator Debra McLaughlin said on Tuesday that the day had been spent coordinating with locations to ensure their participation as cooling centers, and checking in about open hours due to Friday being the recognized Fourth of July holiday for some.
The resource guide was developed by the Franklin County/North Quabbin Emergency Services for Unhoused Individuals Task Force, but McLaughlin said it is available for anyone in need of the listed services.
“We are becoming increasingly aware, just because of the affordability issues that many people are facing,” she said, “that folks may not even have access to air conditioning in their own places, so it’s open to anyone.”
The Greenfield Public Library at 412 Main St. in Greenfield is one such location that acts as both a cooling and heating center during its open hours in the summer and winter months. Pamela McBride, information services assistant, explained that the library will be open during the heat wave on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday until 5 p.m.
“We’re [air conditioned]. We have lots of things to keep people busy, if they’d like to join us,” McBride said about the library, adding that people are welcome to bring their laptops or arts and crafts projects to pass the time.
Helping out with this heat wave is the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, which will be providing water and other items to the Greenfield Public Library as well as the Wildflower Alliance on Chapman Street in Greenfield.
“We are happy to help in any way we can,” interim Sheriff Lori Streeter said.
As for emergency management planning, Greenfield Fire Chief Robert Strahan, who is also the city’s emergency management director, said the department is already seeing an uptick in calls related to the heat and he expects to see more for heat-related illness during this heat wave. He said the department is following protocol to rotate staff during shifts to make sure employees have adequate time out of the heat.
While highlighting what local populations are most at risk for heat illness, and reminding people of the danger to children and pets left unattended in vehicles, Strahan also stressed, “hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.”
A list of available cooling centers is available online at tinyurl.com/5z9ux9z9, with updates from the Opioid Task Force available on its Facebook page.
