A year after the "heat dome" BC killed 619 people, it may not yet be ready to protect vulnerable people

Municipalities and health authorities are stepping in British Columbia celebrates the "extremely hot emergency" a year before preparing for the first heat wave of the year this weekend, killing most of the vulnerable and elderly populations of more than 600 people. did.

Expected heat waves may not reach the temperatures experienced last summer, but more thermal emergencies in the future May occur, B.C. Senior supporters are ready to say we may not.

"We are better prepared, but well prepared. It has not yet been decided," said Isobel Mackenzie.

The state has added thermal conditions to broadcast alert systems via social and traditional media. Vancouver has more cooling centers. Sally has released an "alertable app" to warn you of dangerous situations. Health authorities emphasize the importance of identifying and responding to heat exhaustion and conducting health examinations. And many long-term care facilities have air conditioners.

Most measures correspond to BC recommendations. A coroner's report to prevent repeated deaths of 619 people caused by the "heat dome" that brought temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius to most of the state from June 24th to 29th last year.

The forecast for this weekend is about 30 degrees Celsius. This can result in a heat warning if the day and night temperatures ofare higher than the season. Standard for 2 consecutive days. If the temperature is "stable", a heat warning will be issued, and if it is "hot every day", an extreme heat emergency warning will be issued. The first warning suggests that the individual "takes normal steps to stay calm" and the second warning "activates the emergency plan".

Extreme thermal events or emergencies are determined at different temperatures in five different regions. For example, in the western part of the Metro Vancouver, including Vancouver, states say that warnings are issued when the maximum temperature is expected to be above 29 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature is expected to be above 16 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days or more.

In the eastern part of the Metro Vancouver, including Coquitlam and Sally, triggers are up to 33 degrees and down to 17 degrees inside the South. 35 degrees and 18 degrees, northwest 28 degrees and 13 degrees, northeast 29 degrees and 14 degrees.

The top warning is for extreme heat emergencies, such as last year's hot season. The days were extended by a high pressure system blocked by a jet stream. The state said it would lead to "a high degree of certainty that temperatures would rise substantially every day for more than three consecutive days."

The last extreme heat emergency was in 2009, when temperatures were five degrees lower than 2021 and there were 110 excess deaths in the summer in Metro Vancouver. The state

said the state is expected to experience extreme thermal emergencies every 3 to 10 years by 2050. 

After last year's experience, Coroner ensures that people stay cool in their homes and in cooling centers. We have made some recommendations to prevent the next deadly season, such as doing and properly checking for vulnerable people.

McKenzie said the launch of thermal alerting and response systems was aimed at ensuring that the state was prepared for rare extreme thermal emergencies. .. The state also said it would increase the number of ambulance service personnel overwhelmed by the volume of calls last year.

However, she recommends precautions for the heat dome (drinking water, closing windows during the day, saving energy, looking for shade, avoiding sunlight). Said not enough to prevent death. The high temperature was maintained for 4 days day and night.

"Many things I recommended to people during the heat wave would have been enough," she said, but she wasn't in the heat dome. rice field.

Mackenzie kept in touch with most of her loved ones, health workers, and teleworkers who died later, but she's the extreme that the heat dome brings. She said she was unaware of the dangers.

Her suggestion for dealing with heat "works in heat waves, but not in heat emergencies," she said. "We need a better plan."

Just as people at risk of flooding and fire need to be evacuated, air-conditioned homes The people inside need to evacuate based on the vulnerability. ..

New Westminster Coun. According to Patrick Johnstone, 33 people were killed in the heat dome and firefighters were forced to call taxis to take patients to the hospital when there was no ambulance. Recognized the challenge of reaching all the vulnerable because of barriers.

"How do you knock someone's door and tell them they have to leave?" He said. That part of the plan to respond to the next thermal emergency is "still working".

Elderly groups such as Sally's Brera Community Services Association have another extreme heat by printing a copy of the state's preparation guide for distribution to residents. Preparing for the event. Louise Trenbray's email.

The coroner's recommendations are extreme heat emergencies, with restricted mobility, cognitive impairment, or listed in the Chronic Disease Registry of Living Alone. Includes health authorities to identify occasional home visits and contacts. Messaging is in multiple languages.

By the end of the year, the Ministry of Health will consider issuing cooling devices as medical devices to people at risk.

Almost all deaths last year occurred indoors and half occurred in the Fraser Health area. About a quarter was in the Vancouver Coastal Health Area.

Fraser Health says it advises residents to prepare to check in with family and friends before the heat, especially if they are 55 or older or live alone. I did. Check out friends, family and neighbors. Lower the temperature of the house. Stay in the coolest part of the house and get ready to sleep. I have a plan to leave if it gets hotter than 31 degrees. Know where to get information about heat safety. Know the signs of heat stroke and heat stroke and how to deal with them.

slazaruk@postmedia.com