Contacts:
Donisha Greene: (216) 443-7075 or dgreene@cuyahogacounty.us


CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and the Division of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS) Administrator, Richard L. Jones, issue an excessive heat protocol to ensure that seniors and adults with disabilities have the needed resources to cope with the impending heat this weekend.

Extreme heat, a result of climate change, can be devastating even causing heat-related illness and death. In effort to keep vulnerable citizens safe, DSAS’ Excessive Heat Protocol is as follows:

• County residents that need information about tips to avoid the excessive heat are urged to contact the DSAS Centralized Intake Line at 216-420-6700. Callers will be provided information about County resources including cooling centers, recreation centers, libraries, and other air-conditioned facilities. This information will provided after normal business hours by calling (216)696-KIDS and listed on the DSAS website at http://dsas.cuyahogacounty.us/.
• Residents will be provided top tips on how to avoid heat exhaustion and sickness.
• All DSAS staff and supervisors will be reviewing current caseloads to determine if anyone needs further assistance. Supervisors have held emergency meetings with staff to provide resources and information that can be distributed to clients. An alert through the county ReadyNotify system will also be issued with this information.
• Clients listed as “Critical Care” and need extra assistance in emergencies will be personally contacted by a DSAS staff member to make sure that they have proper resources to address the heat.
• Clients needing fans and air conditioners will be referred to the DSAS Information and Outreach Unit who will provide assistance with applying for the State of Ohio Summer Crisis Program.
• Residents with elderly neighbors are encouraged to check-in at least twice a day, even if there is air conditioning.