KFL&A Public Health uses temperature and wind chill thresholds — predetermined
temperatures or wind chill values — to let residents know when the temperature could
be harmful.
The Cold Weather Response Plan is designed to reduce the health impacts and
risks associated with cold weather events. It includes monitoring Environment Canada's
weather forecasts between November 1 and April 15 and notifying the community, health
service providers, and the media when thresholds are reached.
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EXTREME COLD HEALTH RESPONSE PLAN
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Routine
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Threshold:
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Key Public Health Messages:
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- Stay Warm, Stay Dry.
- Avoid lengthy and strenuous outdoor activity.
- Help others - check on the elderly or people with disabilities who live alone.
- Know the signs of cold injuries and know what to do.
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Public Health Response Actions:
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- Health information is posted on KFL&A Public Health website.
- Updated information is sent directly to community partner agencies.
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City of Kingston Response Actions:
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- Confirm contact lists are up to date and share cold related information with departments, service providers and clients
- · Promote and encourage the use of municipal facilities as warm up here centres *
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Cold Alert
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Threshold:
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A daily predicted temperature of -15°C or lower (without wind chill)
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Key Public Health Messages:
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- Take action to avoid injuries from the cold:
- Cover unprotected skin, dress in layers and wear an outer layer that is wind resistant.
- Avoid prolonged outdoor exposure.
- Avoid rapid body cooling after sweating when outdoors.
- Drink warm fluids (no alcohol or caffeine).
- Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
- Check on the elderly or people with disabilities who live alone.
- Maintain a minimum indoor temperature of 20°C.
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Public Health Response Actions:
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- KFL&A Public Health will issue a cold weather health alert directly to community partner agencies.
- This group includes municipalities, schools, daycares, acute care facilities, long term care homes, neighbourhood/faith groups, social services and emergency service providers.
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City of Kingston Response Actions:
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Ensure information on City website is updated with link to KFL&A Public Health website and coordinate media releases with Public Health (if required)
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Distribute cold weather notification to departments, emergency response teams, service providers and clients.
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Support community agencies/partners in their efforts to provide services to vulnerable populations and work with agencies to address issues of concern if required (extended hours, transportation, etc).
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Welcome the public to use a warming centre ** (municipal facility and partner agency facility).
- North Kingston Community Health Centre
400 Elliott Avenue
Hrs. 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday
- Artillery Park
76 Ordnance Street
Hrs: 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday
- INVISTA Centre
1350 Gardiner's Road at Fortune Cres
Hrs: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Mon - Fri
8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Sat & Sun
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Cold Warning
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Threshold:
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A daily predicted temperature of -25°C or lower
OR
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Environment Canada forecasts a wind chill of -28 or colder
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Key Public Health Messages:
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Temperature -25°C or wind chill is -28 or colder:
- Keep children indoors
- Check ears, nose, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes often for signs of frostbite.
Unprotected skin can freeze in as little as 10-30 minutes.
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Wind chill -40 or colder:
- Unprotected skin can freeze in as little as 5 minutes.
- Serious risk of hypothermia if cold, or cold and wet, and outdoors for long periods.
- Consider postponing outdoor activities.
- Check frequently on vulnerable populations.
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Public Health Response Actions:
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- KFL&A Public Health will issue a cold weather health warning directly to community partner agencies and via media release.
- This information will be posted on the KFL&A Public Health website.
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City of Kingston Response Actions:
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Ensure information on City website is updated with link to KFL&A Public Health website and coordinate media releases with Public Health (if required)
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Distribute cold weather notification to departments, emergency response teams, service providers and clients.
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Update website with information.
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Support community agencies/partners in their efforts to provide services to vulnerable populations and work with agencies to address issues of concern if required (extended hours, transportation, etc).
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Welcome the public to use a warming centre ** (municipal facility and partner agency facility).
- North Kingston Community Health Centre
400 Elliott Avenue
Hrs. 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday
- Artillery Park
76 Ordnance Street
Hrs: 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday
- INVISTA Centre
1350 Gardiner's Road at Fortune Cres
Hrs: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Mon - Fri
8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Sat & Sun
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Cold Emergency
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Threshold:
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A daily predicted temperature of - 35°C or lower
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Extreme wind chill of -55 or colder.
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Cold weather health warning issued and the existence of a contributing factor such as power outage, or critical infrastructure failure.
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Key Public Health Messages:
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Core cold weather messages plus:
- Danger! Outdoor conditions are hazardous
- Ensure vulnerable individuals are in a warm, safe environment.
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Public Health Response Actions:
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- KFL&A will issue a cold weather health emergency notice to community partner agencies and media.
- Activation in whole or in part of the KFL&A Public Health Emergency Response Plan.
- Possible activation of emergency municipal or community control groups.
- Inform provincial health officials.
- Post information on KFL&A website.
- Advise all community partner agencies and media when emergency status is lifted.
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City of Kingston Response Actions:
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- May convene the Municipal Control Group if required to assess the extent of the situation and determine additional strategies.
- May activate the City of Kingston Emergency Plan (in whole or in part) as required.
- May facilitate the opening of a Reception Centre for use as a warming centre(s) if required.
- May establish Citizen Inquiry Centre as detailed in the City's Emergency Plan.
- May establish transportation and logistics if required to move people to warming centres.
- Coordinate media releases with KFL&A Public Health.
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are arranged through the municipality and are set up to provide additional relief options for residents and visitors during extreme cold weather. These facilities have staff on hand to provide water and a seating area.
