DHS REACHES OUT WHILE CITY EXPERIENCES LEVEL TWO ‘CODE BLUE’ WEATHER

City Steps Up its Emergency Procedures to Protect Those Seeking Shelter During Harsh Weather

January 14, 2009 – Today, New York City’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS) will again utilize its Cold Weather Emergency Procedure, called Code Blue, to protect unsheltered homeless who are more at risk for exposure deaths during the cold winter months. The Code Blue Cold Weather Emergency Procedure can be first called by DHS at Level 1, when the temperature drops to 32 degrees, or in cases like today, at Level 2, when the temperature drops to 20 degrees with wind chill or is 32 degrees or less with heavy and consistent precipitation for at least an hour.

"On days like today when weather is extreme and most New Yorkers would not even venture outside, we need to make sure that those most in need are protected," said DHS Commissioner Robert V. Hess.  "Extreme cold weather can lead to deaths.  It is our priority to bring our homeless clients inside where they can be warm and safe and the possibility of death from severe weather is avoided in these temperature drops. Every life counts.  Today we will have more outreach teams on the street, amping up their services to bring in individuals around the clock, protecting our fellow New Yorkers."

During Level 2 Code Blue:

• Outreach teams check on vulnerable clients every two hours, or four times per shift
• Outreach doubles its coverage on overnight shifts
• Two vans supplement outreach efforts by helping to respond to 311 calls
• All adult services facilities are open to clients for walk in warming services
• All components of a Code Blue Level 1 are in effect

A Code Blue alert also will be issued when a combination of any of the following factors exists:  Snow is greater than six inches, the high temperature is below 15 degrees (F) for a 48-hour period, there is a wind chill below 0 degrees (F), there are sustained winds of more than four miles per hour, ice storm or freezing rain conditions are present, or there is moderate coastal flooding.

Concerned New Yorkers should also help. If someone on the street looks like they need assistance, concerned citizens can call 311. Outreach workers will be dispatched to check on that person. In an emergency, dial 911.

The Code Blue Cold Weather Emergency Procedure instructs outreach workers to:

• Identify and regularly monitor clients that may be at risk during cold weather
• Assist at-risk clients to voluntarily come indoors
• Perform clinical assessments and coordinate involuntary transport of at-risk clients to psychiatric emergency rooms, when appropriate
• Engage at-risk clients in accessing resources such as warming buses or warming centers

NYC Street to Home outreach workers are out on the streets 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in all five boroughs, engaging unsheltered homeless individuals. However during a Code Blue Cold Weather Emergency, teams attempt to reach clients who particularly are vulnerable to the elements of the weather, encouraging them to come inside for a warm meal and shelter. They are trained to look for signs of distress including frostbite or hypothermia. Symptoms include slurred speech, shallow breathing, skin discoloration, blisters and waxy feeling skin, among others. Teams make every effort to secure clients' cooperation with voluntary transport indoors. Hospitals accommodate clients, as requested, in Emergency Department waiting rooms. If outreach teams are concerned about an individual’s safety, they will call for the Mobile Crisis Team, which will evaluate the individual and call EMS and NYPD for involuntary transport.

During a Code Blue Cold Weather Emergency, indoor options include the following:

Safe Havens
A Safe Haven is a low-threshold alternative to shelter with more privacy, fewer rules and a focus on harm reduction and restructured lifestyle. These facilities are typically accepted by those clients who are most resistant to accepting housing and have been extremely effective in assisting reducing the street homeless population.

Shelter
During an Emergency, clients can access any shelter. Beds are available system-wide to accommodate all clients brought in by outreach teams or walk-ins.

Drop-In Centers
Drop-In Centers are required to take in as many clients as possible, within fire and health code limitations. Drop-In staff also can make arrangements for clients at other citywide facilities.