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Toronto cool to heat-wave planning
At-risk groups are vulnerable because of city's lacklustre strategies, 
writes Cathy Crowe
Jul. 31, 2006. 01:00 AM
CATHY CROWE

Heat Wave: "Three or more consecutive days when the maximum temperature 
is 32 degrees Celsius or more." (Environment Canada).

In 1995, Chicago suffered a heat wave that resulted in 700 deaths. Many 
were seniors, African-American and lived in public housing. In 2003, 
Europe experienced a heat wave that resulted in 27,000 dead. Many were 
seniors. Many were poor.

In both situations, political leadership initially denied the extent of 
the problem and minimized the risks to vulnerable populations. "It's 
hot," Chicago Mayor Richard Daley told the media, "But let's not blow it 
out of proportion ... every day people die of natural causes."

Emergency responses came too little and too late. However, the massive 
loss of life ensured a "social autopsy," an examination of the political 
and social fabric that contributed to the high death toll in certain 
populations.

Lessons were learned. First, that accelerated death rates were linked to 
poverty, unaffordable housing, diminished social programs and no access 
to air conditioning. Second, that the most critical public health 
measures that can save life in a heat emergency are early warning 
systems, the immediate opening of neighbourhood-based cooling centres, 
outreach to seniors and vulnerable populations, and energy assistance 
programs.

Toronto has had its own heat catastrophe, on a smaller scale. In 2005, 
at least six Toronto residents living in rooming houses died during a 
heat wave. Toronto Public Health research has demonstrated that 
mortality rates are twice as high on extreme heat days compared with 
comfortable days.

Last week, the City of Toronto and Peel Region issued alerts as the 
temperature climbed again.

A growing list of Canadian cities now face a frequent and unpleasant 
brew of extreme heat, humidity and smog that can be felt, seen and smelled.

Yet, Canada's overall response to heat waves has been lacklustre.

How do cities deal with heat waves? Most use a combination of Web sites 
and media advisories to inform people how to protect themselves from the 
heat. The public is encouraged to drink lots of water, take cool baths 
and wear light cotton clothing or go to air-conditioned shopping malls.

What's missing?

Extreme heat is a proven medical emergency for vulnerable populations — 
the frail and elderly, those in poor health, in poor housing and those 
without the financial resources to endure a heat wave.

Chicago and European communities know that. This month's heat wave saw 
European communities on high alert.

Britain declared a Level 3 Heat alert, requiring doctors and local 
authorities to maintain daily contact with at-risk people who live 
alone. France declared an orange alert and the prime minister visited a 
seniors' home to draw attention to the heat emergency. In Italy, cities 
like Milan and Rome opened air-conditioned shelters and in Hungary 
government trucks distributed water.

In the United States, hundreds of cooling centres were set up in cities 
including Baltimore (11 centres), St. Louis (60) Chicago (100) and New 
York (more than 300). Boston and Chicago had free shuttle bus services 
to transport vulnerable populations to cooling centres, situated in 
community centres, police stations, libraries, park facilities and other 
locations.

Telephone hotlines, with up to date and accurate information on heat 
resources and medical advice, were used in Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston.

Chicago even had reverse 911 calls, automatically sent to seniors and 
those at risk.

Some cities (Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York) went a step further 
and sent outreach workers to check on the homeless and elderly, 
providing water and fans. Chicago deployed air-conditioned buses to 
points around the city while Baltimore, St. Louis, Omaha and others 
helped provide and install air conditioners to those in need.

Canada's experience with heat emergencies is not as extensive as that of 
our neighbours to the south. But it is hard to justify our meagre 
response to this summer's record setting heat wave and predictions of 
climate change.

A number of cities (London, Halton, Ottawa) issued heat alerts but did 
not open cooling centres or offer outreach.

Sudbury called a heat advisory and extended the hours of four libraries 
to function as cooling sites. Tillsonburg, to its credit, opened three 
cooling centres for the entire summer in accessible locations. A number 
of large cities monitored the heat (Windsor, Montreal, Vancouver) but 
Windsor's city council decided against opening cooling centres because 
of poor attendance last year.

Hamilton has gone one step further — and stunned the community — by 
deciding this month to no longer call heat alerts. Associate Medical 
Officer of Health Matthew Hodge wrote "... we have confirmed that local 
weather patterns are such that alerts may be so frequent as to lack 
credibility." In reality, Hamilton has had approximately six days with a 
maximum temperature of more than 30 Celsius, less than some cities.

As Canada's largest city, Toronto's response is most troubling.

An extreme heat alert was finally issued Sunday July 16, the third day 
of a heat wave. This triggered the opening of three cooling centres for 
partial daytime hours and one 24-hour centre.

Ten days later, Toronto declared a heat alert but did not open cooling 
centres and city council voted to not even debate a motion on measures 
to respond to the heat.

The Chicago and European heat wave deaths were not the result of an act 
of God, or a natural disaster.

They were preventable consequences of poverty, social isolation, racism 
and the withdrawal of social programs. The botched rescue and recovery 
stage of Hurricane Katrina similarly demonstrated the divide of race and 
class.

The Canadian heat wave does the same. It reminds us that we could and 
should do more to protect vulnerable populations.

A year after six heat-related deaths in Toronto, the city coroner has 
announced there will be no inquest.

A Toronto bylaw still dictates that in dwellings such as rooming houses, 
windows must be fixed with a safety device preventing the window from 
opening more than 10 centimetres (less than four inches). The 
temperature in a third floor room in a heat wave can surpass 39 Celsius.

There are few Canadian municipalities prepared for a heat wave.

Some cities operate neighbourhood cooling centres, deploy 
air-conditioned city buses, or operate a registry for vulnerable people.

There are no fan loan programs, air conditioner installation programs, 
or hydro rebates for those in need. Prevention today could save lives 
tomorrow.

While we wait for real programs, we can count on the public health 
messages: "Drink lots of liquids, wear light-coloured clothing and a 
hat, go to a pool, go to an air-conditioned movie theatre or malls, 
check on your neighbours who might need help."

Sadly, people will need more than hot air on a hot day.

Cathy Crowe is a street nurse and an Atkinson Economic Justice Fellow.

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