Outreach workers stepping up help to vulnerable population during heat wave

Outreach workers in Sudbury say they're escalating their efforts to help homeless people and those consuming toxic drugs during recent hot weather.

They say the vulnerable population is at increased risk of dehydration and heat stroke.

Environment Canada has issued heat warnings across much of northeastern Ontario.

In Sudbury, the city has seen highs of around 29 to 31 C with humidex values of 36 to 38 C since Wednesday, July 31.

Overnight minimum temperatures are forecast to be 17 to 19 C with those values expected to linger through Saturday.

Evie Ali is the executive director of the Go-Give Project which provides outreach during overnight hours when many other services are not available.

Outreach workers stocking up on water, frozen treats

She said people who don't have shelter and may not be welcome in publicly air conditioned spaces are at particular risk.

Ali says they're doing their best to increase their daytime outreach hours, and ramping up the number of wellness checks on vulnerable people, particularly in encampments.

"We're doing a higher distribution of water," said Ali. "We try to keep things like freezies in stock just to help cool people down a little bit more than we would normally. But it's been very hard to keep up that capacity just given that each year the numbers are increasing and increasing and, and this year we're again seeing our highest numbers yet."

The city said this week that there were about 200 people living in encampments throughout the city.

The executive director of Rseau Access Network, Heidi Eisenhauer, said the agency has seen a huge increase of people accessing services at its office including the water dispenser in their lobby.

She noted people have been taking what refuge they can in the shade of trees of Memorial Park.

As for outreach workers from that agency, she said they are being cautious in the heat.

"We have strict guidelines around our team going out at this time when the heat is intensive," she said. "And so we've been doing a lot of inreach service and mobile services."

People who come into their storefront can get water and sunscreen, she said and are encouraged to stay hydrated.

Adam Ranger is with Public Health Sudbury and Districts and says the risk of dehydration is particularly high among those using hallucinogens.

He says the health unit's role is to educate the public and provide input for policy makers.

It has issued a heat warning for much of it's area giving advice to people on how to stay cool and monitor signs of heat-related illness.

Ultimately, he said outreach workers and client navigators spread the word on resources and education on staying safe during hot weather to those at risk.

"Thankfully we do have these people that are working with them and, and supporting them because they ultimately are going to be the teachers on the streets with them," he said.

When does hot weather trigger a response?

No one from the city was available to discuss the city's officialheat response plan and whether the forecast would trigger possible additional services such as expanded hours for lifeguards at beaches, extended hours at air-conditioned public libraries and community centres, or distribution of potable water to vulnerable populations in conjunction with community partners

The plan says those measures may be considered if a Level 2 extended heat warning or alert is declared.

That is defined as a humidex of equal to or greater than 36 C for three consecutive days or a maximum temperature of more than 29 C and low of around 18 for three consecutive days.

Meantime, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is urging caution for those using substances this long weekend.Whether they use cannabis, alcohol, or other substances, particularly during the warm weather., they shouldeducate themselves on the signs of heat-related illness.