Extreme Heat Resources
Cambridge is under a Heat Advisory with temperatures expected to be in the 90s today through Thursday. Hot weather and extreme heat can cause serious illness and can be life-threatening. People who are experiencing homelessness, people age 65 and older, and those with pre-existing medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or respiratory illness are among those at greater risk for heat-related illness. Outreach teams and extended hours at select emergency shelters will be utilized to support the unhoused community during this week's heat wave. Outreach teams will be distributing water, cooling towels, popsicles, sunscreen, non-perishable snacks and juice boxes.
The City of Cambridge has posted resources and information about how to know the signs of heat-related illnesses and how to stay cool during extreme heat. Please visit this page for tips, information and flyers available in multiple languages: www.cambridgema.gov/heat
Residents are encouraged to use a Cambridge Public Library branch as a cooling location. Branch libraries will welcome people seeking to cool off during regular hours and will have water bubblers available. Branch hours and locations can be found on the City’s website: https://www.cambridgema.gov/cpl/hoursandlocations
(Please note all Cambridge Public Library locations are closed on Wednesday, June 19 in observance of the Juneteenth holiday).
Information about pools and waterplay locations are available here: https://www.cambridgema.gov/news/2022/06/poolsandwaterplay
First Step Street Outreach– 617-592-6895
Outreach teams will be working from 2 p.m. – midnight daily and the van is stocked with extra ways to stay cool and hydrated. The Cambridge Health Alliance street medicine team will be on the van Tue - Thur.
Salvation Army is extending daytime hours from 9 AM - 3 PM for the next few days and will be distributing water and oranges.
Emergency Services Center (240 Albany St) Tue - Fri will allow anyone in during the day seeking shelter from the heat, regardless of whether or not they were in a bed the night before. Emergency overflow mats will increase to 12 for overnight shelter.
Shower services - available at 240 Albany Street from 9 AM – 2 PM daily; at Salvation Army drop-in daily and at University Lutheran Church (66 Winthrop Street) Monday through Friday from 9 AM – 3:30 PM.
Fire and Police Departments - Cambridge Police Officers will distribute cold bottles of water to residents in need while they are out on patrol. Cambridge Fire personnel are placing extra water at all firehouses in the event residents come in looking for some. Cambridge Fire Department will also have water on all apparatus and will keep an eye out for people in need as they are on the road across the City. Pro EMS will have cold water available in all ambulances.
Public Health – The public health Cambridge Community Corps (C3) team is passing out information to the public about staying safe during extreme heat.