White Plains Expands Senior Center & Pool Hours Adds Bus Runs to Provide Relief

Posted on August 1, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. From The Mayor’s Office. August 1, 2006:The City of White Plains will offer expanded hours at the following facilities in an attempt to allow residents to beat the heat:

White Plains Senior Center
65 Mitchell Place
914-422-1424
Open till 6:30 PM

Gardella Pool located on Ferris Avenue, and Kittrell Pool located on the corner of Fisher and Bank will remain open till 7PM. For more information please contact Arne Abramowitz at 914-422-1345.

Tuesday 8/1 – Center will be open until 6:30 p.m. The bus driver will provide an additional bus run at 4 p.m. leaving from the Center to bring senior’s home.

Wednesday 8/2 – Center will be open until 6:30 p.m. The bus driver will provide bus runs at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. leaving from the Center to bring senior’s home.

Con Ed Ready for the Heat — Has Extra Crews — Spano Asserts.

Posted on July 31, 2006 by John Bailey

W PNCR County Clarion-Leger. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. July 31, 2006: County Executive Andy Spano held a meeting with Con Edison today, as solely reported by WPCNR, and after that meeting, the County Executive issued this the following statement. No other statements about Con Edison explanations and plans for dealing with future communications were made:

· At a meeting with Con Edison today, Spano was assured by the utility that it has already brought in extra crews and notified others to be on standby in the event there are any major power outages.

Spano reminded residents that if they do lose power to make sure they notify Con Ed of the outage by calling 1-800-75-CONED. Do not assume that the utility knows you are without power. If you see a fallen wire, you should notify your local police. In addition, everyone should own a basic phone (one that is not powered by electricity) as these are the only kind of landlines that will work during an outage.

· All county beaches and pools will be open for extended hours Tuesday and Wednesday until 8:30 p.m. with reduced rates. The fee for pools will be $2.50 for adults or children with a county park pass (as opposed to $5.75 for adults, $4 for children and $3.75 for seniors). For people without a pass, it will be $5, instead of $10. Beaches are free at Playland and Glen Island, but parking rates remain in effect. Go to www.westchestergov.com/parks for details. The longer hours will continue Thursday if the heat wave continues. (Please Note: Playland pool is the site this week of Westchester Swimming Championships. Therefore, that pool will close to the public at 3:30 p.m. )

· The county’s Department of Emergency Services has contacted all local governments in advance of any heat-related problems to offer assistance. The county is ready to open its Emergency Operations Center if needed.

· To help residents cope with the soaring temperatures, the Health Department has a 24-hour “Stay Cool” Information Line, (914) 813-5620, which provides tips on how to stay cool in the summer heat and identifies air-conditioned locations such as libraries, shopping malls, movie theaters and senior centers throughout the county where residents can go to beat the heat. A listing of some air-conditioned community locations is available on the Health Department’s website, www.westchestergov.com/health.

· The county Department of Emergency Services is gathering information about where local governments have set up “cooling centers” for their residents. Currently, these are:

o Elmsford: Senior Community Center, 10 North Stone Ave., 10 a.m.- 8 p.m., Mon.-Thurs.

o New Rochelle: Hugh Doyle Senior Center, 94 Davis Ave., Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

o Hastings: The courtroom in the Municipal Building and the Andrus Memorial Home (neither facility has back-up generators).

o Yonkers: Coyne Park Community Center, Nodine Hill Community Center, Cola Community Center, Chema Center, Congregation of the Sons of Israel, St. John’s Park Pavilion, Bronx River Road Community Center, Sacred Heart H.S. Cafeteria, Nepperhan Community Center

For specific hours and addresses, residents should call their local municipality.

“We are taking whatever steps we can in advance to deal with this weather,” Spano said. “I urge residents to use common sense when dealing with the heat. At our end, we remain ready to assist local governments and residents.”

Heat Is On — Health Department Warns of Health Risks

Posted on July 31, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Health. July 31, 2006: With the weather forecast calling for several days of extreme heat this week, the Westchester County Department of Health is warning residents that heat stress can occur when temperatures exceed 90 degrees and is providing tips on how to manage during this expected heat wave.

To help residents cope with the soaring temperatures, the Health Department offers a 24-hour “Stay Cool” Information Line, (914) 813-5620, which provides tips on how to stay cool in the summer heat and identifies air-conditioned locations such as libraries, shopping malls, movie theaters and senior centers throughout the county where residents can go to beat the heat. A listing of some air-conditioned community locations is available on the Health Department’s website, www.westchestergov.com/health.

“High humidity and crowded living conditions can increase the danger for heat stress, especially among the elderly, small children and those with chronic health problems whose bodies may not be able to stand the strain,” stated Joshua Lipsman, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., Westchester County Commissioner of Health. “During the summer months, it’s important to be aware of how your body is reacting to the heat,” he continued. “The first signs of heat stress can be mild and may go unnoticed. As the heat increases, you may experience general discomfort, lack of energy and a loss of appetite — all are warning signs to take precautions against further strain from the heat,” he warned.

There are other warning indications of increasing heat stress that require immediate action. They include rapid heartbeat, a throbbing headache, dry skin, no visible sweating, extreme weakness, mental changes, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, chest pains, vomiting, cramps and breathing problems. If you experience any of these signs of physical distress, call your doctor or seek medical attention immediately.

It is best to take protective action before falling victim to the heat. Try to spend as much time as you can in pleasant surroundings – a cool room in your home, an air-conditioned mall, a senior citizen center, the public library or a movie theater. Fans can also provide good indoor circulation, and cool baths or showers offer excellent relief from the heat.

The Westchester County Department of Health recommends that residents protect themselves against heat stress by wearing loose-fitting, lightweight clothing; drinking a lot of water and avoiding hot foods, heavy meals and alcohol. If you have to be out in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat. It’s also important to remember that physical activity generates body heat, so it’s a good idea to slow down and take it easy as the temperature rises.

For further information on heat stress, contact the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000 or visit www.westchestergov.com/health.

How Good Was the Emergency Communications In a County/City Emergency

Posted on July 29, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. July 30, 2006: The power is back on but the memory of the chaos lingers on. After 9/11, millions were sent Westchester County for improved “emergency” communications. Dozens of meetings were held to improve county and cities’ coordinated efforts in a disaster. Last week, Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains saw how they worked when they called city hall and city hall did not know how many homes were out. They saw how they worked when they called the police department and could not find out what roads were closed and open. But, perhaps WPCNR is too harsh.

What does Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains think about how our county and city, and cities communicated with residents in an emergency — the first really big one we have had since 9/11?

Was the information authorities gave you when you called, or that you heard on the radio or read here on WPCNR adequate — because that is all we got. I only selected adequate and inadequate — because, it was not good. Our leaders said they were ready for an emergency and had communications programs in place supposedly for an Indian Point disaster or whatever. Well, July 18-19-20-21 was a test. How did the county the city do?

Send us your disaster stories — good and bad.