[Archived] Alexandria Takes Steps to Ensure Safety of Citizens, Employees During Hot Weather

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2001
Contact: Barbara J. Gordon
Public Information Officer, 703.838.4300

With temperatures forecast in the mid to upper 90s for today and tomorrow, the City of Alexandria is taking steps to ensure the safety of citizens and employees, particularly children and the elderly.

Summer playground programs, operated by the Recreation and Parks Department, have been modified to eliminate outdoor activities. Children at most sites will go on field trips. The Stevenson playground program has been moved indoors.

Senior centers and recreation centers, all air conditioned, are open for daytime activities. The senior centers available for persons aged 60 and over are the Charles Houston Senior Center, 905 Wythe St., 703.838.4832 and the Saint Martin de Porres Senior Center at 4650 Taney Ave., 703.751.2766. Door to door bus transportation is available by calling the nearest center for pickup.

David’s Place, a day shelter for homeless people, is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm It is operated by and located at Carpenter’s Shelter, 930 N. Henry St. It is open to anyone who needs to get out of the heat. For details, call 703.548.7500.

The City encourages residents to use caution during the extreme heat. Public places for citizens to “cool off” include libraries and Landmark Shopping Center.

Persons aged 60 and over who do not have other sources of cooling can request free fans from the Office on Aging and Adult Services, 703.838.0857. Dominion Power (formerly Virginia Power) pays for the fans. In addition, the Virginia Department for the Aging provides funds to help residents 60 and over pay for their electric bill. This Cooling Assistance Program is coordinated by the Alexandria Office on Aging, 703.838.0857. In extreme conditions, window air conditioner units can be purchased for “at risk” households. For information, call the Alexandria Office of Community Services, 603.838.0904.

City employees who work outdoors have also been encouraged to take precautionary steps to avoid heat-related illness or injury.

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