Ottawa residents will have access to an interactive map of places to cool down during the warmer months this year.
The Ottawa Public Health (OPH) map is one of the new tools being added to the City of Ottawa’s Extreme Heat, Cold and Smog (EHCS) Plan for 2024.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issues a heat warning when there is a forecast of two or more consecutive days with daytime maximum temperatures of 31 C or warmer, together with nighttime minimum temperatures of 20 C or warmer.
A warning is also issued when there is a forecast of two or more consecutive days with humidex values expected to reach 40 C or higher.
The city says its EHCS Plan was developed to outline the actions taken to prepare for, to mitigate, and respond to these events.
How does the City prepare for extreme heat events?
- The Ottawa Board of Health, City Council and service providers who support those most at risk of heat-related illness receive pre-season information on the services, resources and adaptative strategies recommended to reduce the risks associated with extreme heat events in Ottawa. This includes downloading the ECCC WeatherCAN app to receive weather alerts directly on your smartphone.
- OPH, CSSD, and EPS review and update procedures and messaging for 3-1-1, related to services and resources available during extreme heat events, to ensure accuracy and consistency. In addition, 3-1-1 staff receive up-to-date information from Public Information and Media Relations (PIMR) and media advisories related to extreme weather to answer heatrelated inquiries.
- OPH offers to review and provide input into policies and procedures for managing extreme heat risks for service providers such as schools, daycares, outdoor parks, recreation programs, and summer camps. Service providers interested in seeking this guidance may reach out to healthsante@ottawa.ca.
- OPH regularly updates its Extreme Heat and Humidity webpage with current information on services to help people stay cool and on ways to prevent heat-related health impacts, such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sunburn.
New for the 2024 season
- OPH’s interactive map of places to cool off has been updated to make it easier to navigate and more user-friendly. The map also now includes locations of publicly accessible drinking water fountains.
- Infrastructure and Water Services will continue its fire hydrant fountain pilot program to help residents stay hydrated and cool this summer. The EHCS Planning Committee has helped identify locations to promote access to drinking water for people most at risk of heat-related illness, including people who are experiencing homelessness.
- The EHCS Planning Committee continues to explore additional measures to promote community resilience during extreme heat events, as recommended in the November 2023 report to the Board of Health on the Climate Change Health Impact and Vulnerability Assessment for Extreme Heat, and the City of Ottawa Draft Climate Resilience Strategy.
What happens when a Heat Warning is issued?
- OPH shares ECCC heat warnings via social media and promotes actions that individuals can take to prevent heat-related illness, injuries, and deaths.
- OPH promotes the ECCC WeatherCAN app and strongly recommends that residents sign up to receive weather alerts directly.
- OPH encourages residents to visit its Extreme Heat and Humidity webpage, which is updated regularly with current information and resources, including information on how to stay safe in a heat wave if there is a power outage.
- Other City departments may also communicate specific information related to their services.
- Public Information and Media Relations (PIMR) shares OPH messaging and coordinates any joint communication required from specific City services. PIMR can amplify the reach of the other departments/services by posting messaging on the corporate social media channels.
Access to cool spaces for residents:
- It’s important for residents and visitors to have access to cool places throughout the summer. OPH’s interactive map of places to cool off on the Extreme Heat and Humidity webpage provides information about public places where residents and visitors can cool off in Ottawa. It includes splash pads, wading pools, swimming pools, parks, libraries, and community buildings.
- The public is welcome to seek access to air conditioning at any City facility during regular hours of operation (note: Emergency Cooling Centers will be opened only if there is a concurrent situation that requires an enhanced response by the City of Ottawa, such as a significant power outage or a prolonged heat emergency).
- City pools convert to leisure swims, and all adult and specialty swims are cancelled help more people cool off.
- Ottawa Community Housing and some privately owned low-income housing managers provide cool rooms where available, to help residents without air conditioning cool off.
Hot weather assistance to people experiencing homelessness:
- Outreach services, including CSSD’s Community Engagement Team and the Salvation Army Outreach Van distribute resources, such as water, to priority populations, including people experiencing homelessness.
- Shelters (e.g., The Ottawa Mission, The Ottawa Booth Centre, The Youth Services Bureau) encourage clients to stay indoors and use their air-conditioned spaces.
- The Salvation Army Outreach Van operates from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m., 365 days of the year. The only caveat in extreme cold, they alter to a 24-hour model to connect with unsheltered individuals and bring them to safe shelter.
- 2-1-1 helps connect residents with information on programs and services to cool down, such as cool places and day programs where everyone is welcome.
- 3-1-1 provides residents with information on programs and services to cool down, and how to access community shelters.
Monitoring and surveillance
- The Office of Emergency Management works closely with OPH, CSSD and other City services to ensure that conditions that could warrant an enhanced response are identified and escalated quickly.
- Should there be a need for an enhanced response by the City of Ottawa (e.g., Extended Heat Warning in combination with a power outage or other emergency), the City is prepared to mobilize the Emergency Operations Centre.
- OPH monitors epidemiological data during Heat Warning events to determine how many people are seeking care at local emergency departments for heat related illness.
What happens during wildfire smoke events?
ECCC and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) are responsible for monitoring air quality in Ontario.
MECP publishes the Air Quality Health Index to help people plan activities based on the forecasted air quality. ECCC and MECP jointly issue Special Air Quality Statements or Smog and Air Health Advisories when the Air Quality Index has reached high risk.
Reducing health risks from wildfire smoke and poor air quality:
- OPH recommends that everyone monitors the Air Quality Health Index and consider the health messaging to plan activities accordingly.
- During wildfire smoke events, OPH uses social media to share messaging and encourages residents to download the WeatherCAN app.
- OPH’s Outdoor Air Pollution web page includes information on how residents can protect themselves from outdoor air pollution, including wildfire smoke, and provides suggestions on how to reduce exposure.
Information and resources for residents:
- Beat the heat fact sheet
- The OPH Extreme Heat and Humidity webpage provides information about preventing heat related illness, such as dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and includes links to resources in our community to help people find emergency shelter (including transportation to shelter).
- The webpage also has an interactive map of places to cool off, including City of Ottawa operated pools, splash pads, libraries, shade structures, parks, and more. These are places throughout the City where the public is welcome to seek access to air conditioning during regular business hours and access is free of charge. The map also includes locations of publicly accessible drinking water fountains. Locations included on the map are validated at the beginning of the season.
- Residents can call 2-1-1, the Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario, to obtain information about services and locations of drop-in centres, community and health resource centres, food banks and community food programs and financial assistance for their utilities. The “Find Your Way Community Resource Guide” provides contact information for services such as shelters and drop-in centres.
- Residents can call 3-1-1 Client Services for information on programs and services to cool down, and how to access community shelters.
- Printable posters are available from Health Canada on ways to protect you and loved ones during an extreme heat event.
- The OPH Outdoor Air Pollution webpage provides information about the Air Quality Health Index, health effects associated with air pollution and ways to reduce exposure from poor air quality. Questions For questions, please contact Ottawa Public Health via email at healthsante@ottawa.ca.