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Markham Issues Heat Alert - Stay Cool
MARKHAM, ON - July 18, 2008 — As a result of hot temperatures and increased humidity, Markham has issued a heat alert and expanded the hours of operation of its community centres and outdoor pools. The Markham heat alert is in effect until 6 p.m. on Sunday July 20.
Cooling centres open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. are:
| Angus Glen Community Centre | 3990 Major Mackenzie Drive East |
| Armadale Community Centre | 2401 Denison Street |
| Milliken Mills Community Centre | 7600 Kennedy Road |
| Thornhill Community Centre | 7755 Bayview Avenue |
| Centennial Community Centre | 8600 McCowan Road |
Outdoor Pools open are:
| Morgan Park Pool | 11 Parkway Avenue |
| Rouge River Community Centre | 120 Rouge Bank Drive |
Pool hours of operation Saturday July 19 and Sunday July 20 are 1 to 8 p.m.
Water Play Areas open from 9 a.m. to dusk are:
| Ashton Meadows Park, Unionville | Woodbine and Calvert Road |
| Beaupre Park, Milliken Mills | Denison, north of Coxworth Avenue |
| Benjamin Marr Park, Cornell | East of Ninth Line, south of Pascoe Drive |
| James Edward Park, Milliken Mills | Elson Street, east of McCowan Road |
| Simonston Park, Thornhill | Simonston Blvd and Don Mills Road |
| Milliken Mills Park, Milliken Mills | 14th Avenue, east of Birchmount Rd. |
| Millennium Park, Markham | Town Centre Blvd. and Cox Blvd. |
| Tomlinson Park, Boxgrove | Boxwood Cres., west of 9th Line, south of 14th Ave. |
During heat alerts and warm weather, the following is recommended:
- Drink lots of water (avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages)
- Check regularly on children, neighbours, the elderly, persons with disabilities and chronic illnesses
- Stay in an air-conditioned place (if possible) and only go outdoors during the coolest part of the day
- Limit outdoor exercise
- Avoid the sun by wearing loose-fitting clothing, hat and sunglasses and apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going outside.
Heat Alert Plan
The following is an excerpt from the Emergency Procedures Manul of the Town of Markham
J.6 HEAT ALERT PLAN
Town of Markham Heat Alert Notifications and Extreme Heat Alert Plan
When notified that a heat event is occurring or is imminent the Town may advise the community of one of the following alert stages. The Town may announce a ‘Heat Alert’ or declare an ‘Extreme Heat Alert’ for the duration of the event or any part thereof.
Heat Alert
For the purposes of this plan a ‘Heat Alert’ will usually be used as an advisory notice to the public that an elevated heat event is occurring and that precautions should be considered by vulnerable populations. In general terms staff and the public will be guided to our website for further information on how to manage. Under this Alert stage the town will typically refrain from taking measures such as opening Markham facilities as cooling centres. It will only be under extended periods of time or the situation deteriorates to the point of an ‘Extreme Heat Alert’ being invoked that the Town will open facilities or take special measures to deal with the heat event.
Extreme Heat Alert
An ‘Extreme Heat Alert’ event may be defined as a period or extended period where conditions exist that may create potential for pre-mature weather related deaths to occur due to excessive temperatures or oppressive air masses such as smog or other air quality issues that may create health hazards.
ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN
Heat Alert
For a Heat Alert, Communications & Community Relations may make announcements identifying that a Heat Alert is in effect and where more information can be attained.
Extreme Heat Alert
The Town’s Emergency Management Heat Alert Subcommittee will convene and make a decision on a case by case basis to the extent and duration of an ‘Extreme Heat Alert’. Three members of the sub committee are required for a decision.
The sub group consists of the following individuals or their alternates:
- Chief Administrative Officer
- Community Emergency Management Coordinator
- Director, Operations
- Director, Strategic Services
- Director, Recreation Services
- Director, Human Resources
- Director, Communications & Community Relations
In making the decision regarding the implementation of a Heat Alert, information from the Provincial and Regional Medical Officers of Health and Environment Canada will be taken into consideration in developing a response to soaring temperatures or other air quality issues. Three members of the sub group are required for a decision.
Actions that may be considered to respond to Heat Alerts are;
- opening of Community Centres as cooling centres
- extending hours of Town’s outdoor pools
- extending hours of water play areas, and
- water and energy conservation measures
Cooling Centres
Cooling Centres that may be opened are;
Angus Glen Community Centre, 3990 Major Mackenzie Drive East
Armadale Community Centre, 2401 Denison Street
Milliken Mills Community Centre, 7600 Kennedy Road
Thornhill Community Centre, 7755 Bayview Avenue
Centennial Community Centre- 8600 McCowan Road
The hours of operation of the cooling centres will be determined on a case by case basis however, in general terms the centres will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Outdoor Pools
Outdoor Pools that may be opened are;
Morgan Park Pool, 11 Parkway Avenue
Rouge River Community Centre, 120 Rouge Bank Drive
The hours of operation of the outdoor pools will be determined on a case by case basis however, in general terms the pools will be open Monday to Friday from 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Water Play Areas
Water Play areas that may be opened are;
Ashton Meadows Park, Unionville – Woodbine and Calvert Road
Beaupre Park, Milliken Mills – Denison, north of Coxworth Avenue
Benjamin Marr Park, Cornell – East of 9th Line, south of Pascoe Drive
James Edward Park, Milliken Mills - Elson Street, east of McCowan Road
Simonston Park, Thornhill – Simonston Boulvard and Don Mills Road
Milliken Mills Park, Milliken Mills – 14th Avenue, east of Birchmount
Millennium Park, Markham – Town Centre Boulevard and Cox Boulevard
Tomlinson Park, Boxgrove – Boxwood Crescent, west of 9th Line, south of 14th Avenue
The hours of operation of the water play areas will be determined on a case by case basis however, in general terms the water play areas will be open from 9:00 a.m. to dusk.
Water and Energy Conservation Measures
Throughout any Heat Alert, Markham residents will be encouraged to conserve water and energy during this period.
Public Awareness and Media Releases
If a Heat Alert is declared the Director of Communications & Community Relations will ensure adequate media and press notifications are made. The media releases will outline the extent of the alert, the actions the Town is undertaking, and the addresses of the locations where relief can be sought and contact information for individuals who wish more information.
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