Extreme Heat Resources & Program Updates
Cambridge is under a Heat Advisory with temperatures expected to be in the mid-90s today, 7/27, through Saturday, 7/29. 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.
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 available. Branch hours and locations can be found on the City’s website:
https://www.cambridgema.gov/cpl/hoursandlocations
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 9 a.m. – midnight today and from 2 p.m. – midnight on Friday and Saturday. The Thursday morning shift for First Step will be focused on outreach to more remote areas and the evening shift will have medical doctor on the van. Outreach teams will be distributing water, cooling pads, popsicles, sunscreen, non-perishable snacks and juice boxes.
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.
Salvation Army will be extending daytime hours to 4 PM for the next few days.
Youth on Fire drop-in space serving young adults up to age 24 will be open today, 7/27, from 2 – 5 PM and will be open for usual drop-in hours on Friday from 11 AM – 5 PM.
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.
Public Health – The public health Cambridge Community Corps (C3) team is passing out information to the public about staying safe during extreme heat.