Victoria has plans to take sting out of extreme heat

A beefed-up communications plan, cooling centres, misting stations and water fountains are all part of the City of Victoria’s plan to tackle the next heat event.

After last year’s deadly heat dome, which drove temperatures in Greater Victoria to a record 39.8 C on June 28 and resulted in 18 heat-related deaths in the region between June 25 and July 1, the city has devised a strategy to beat the heat.

Tanya Patterson, the city’s emergency program co-ordinator, told council this past week that when the provincial alert system kicks in, the municipality will respond with a strategic communication plan to alert residents about how to stay safe and where they can find resources to help stay cool.

That will include a resource map showing the locations of water fountains (including portable ones), misting and cooling centres, and any other cooling resources available.

Patterson said in extreme cases cooling centres may have to be established so the public can get some relief.

She said the city will create its own centres in the same way warming centres are established in the winter, by activating facilities to handle an influx of people.

Cooling centres, she said, would ideally be centralized, airconditioned buildings that would have washing facilities and be pet friendly.

She said the location of the centres will vary depending on the situation and availability, but the communications strategy will tell residents where they can go.

The city also has plans to establish about 10 misting stations around the city to serve densely populated areas and areas close to fire stations.