Warming Centers Open for all who are in need

We've now reached the middle of January and days and nights are growing colder. Reminders like Winter Storm Uri that wiped out an electricity grid in Texas in 2021 show us how fragile infrastructure can be, but also how dangerous such conditions can become for persons who are aging, unhoused, or medically dependent on power for their health and safety. A recently published book, Disabled Power, by Angela Frederick shows us just how tragic the loss of power can be for those within the disability community. Knowing the potential costs, economic and social, means taking into account the need to alert people about the potential harm that comes from extreme cold and to share the resources that can keep them safe.

And that is where today's Warning Gallery post comes in; its a good news story.

We typically find messages issued for warming centers using language like "Code Blue," which can be found in states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. These northern states generally include campaigns to educate their local communities so that coded language can be more easily interpreted by those who are in need or for those who provide services to specific populations.

In contrast, some state alerting authorities use a plain language to alert people to services available. Rather than issuing a "Code Blue" their message to the population at risk clearly states the hazard, its potential impact, and the actions that people can take to make themselves safe.

Wireless Emergency Alert issued for warming centers due to extreme cold.

Camden County, GA is a coastal county with a population of approximately 57,000 people. According to census information, about 15% live below the poverty line. With freeze warnings in effect, overnight lows are in the 30s for this community, making it dangerously cold for persons without heat, including those who are unhoused or with limited access to heat.

Around 1:00PM, on 1/18, County Emergency Management issued a wireless emergency alert that clearly provided information abut the threat, location, time, and guidance to those in need.

In this case, a warming center will be opened at the recreation center due to cold weather approaching during the overnight hours of 7:00PM - 9:00AM on Sunday and Monday nights. They have chosen NOT to use coded language, such as "Code Blue" to announce the opening of shelters and instead plainly state that a Warming Center will be open. They also go one step further and provide a phone number for transportation help - getting to and from a shelter may be the resource that enables persons in need to successfully access the Warming Center.

One can imagine some people asking the question: was this the best use of a Wireless Emergency Alert? Aren't there other ways of getting this information to people - such as opt-in alerts, social media, or the local press? Perhaps. If the people that the County is trying to reach are also signing up for alerts or monitoring social media. But the population that is at greatest risk in this case, which is likely to be older adults and persons who are unhoused, are also less likely to be tuned in to those channels. Knowing where people get their information is a key to a successful alerting strategy.

So, to this message, we say "kudos, Camden County!" Caring for those who are in greatest need in our communities sends a message that you will be there for the entire community when times get rough. Well done.