>>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE,
AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
JOINING US.
SINCE I HAVE BEEN MAYOR, OUR
CITY HAS FACED A ONCE-IN-A-
LIFETIME PANDEMIC, HISTORIC
SNOWSTORMS, HISTORIC SMOKE AND
THE CLOSURE OF THE WEST SEATTLE
BRIDGE.
NOT TO MENTION A PEER THAT
COLLAPSED.
WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT OF
EMERGENCIES AND I WILL SAY FROM
THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART THAT I
HOPE THIS IS ONE OF THE LAST
TIMES AS MAYOR THAT I HAVE TO
BRIEF ANYBODY ON AN EMERGENCY
BUT THIS WEEKEND WE COULD
ENCOUNTER HISTORIC HEAT WAVES.
TO GET THROUGH ALL OF THE
EMERGENCIES WE HAD BEFORE AND
TO GET THROUGH THIS ONE, WE
WILL HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR
FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND EACH
OTHER.
THIS WILL REQUIRE ALL OF US
WORKING TOGETHER.
THIS WEEKEND BEGINNING SATURDAY
AND REALLY ESCALATING INTO
SUNDAY AND MONDAY, SEATTLE IS
EXPECTED TO EXPERIENCE RECORD-
BREAKING HEAT WAVES.
TEMPERATURES MIGHT CLIMB INTO
THE TRIPLE DIGITS WITH AN
EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING ISSUED
THIS AFTERNOON FOR FRIDAY
THROUGH MONDAY. YOU WILL BE
HEARING FROM THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE RIGHT AFTER ME
AND HE WILL BE ABLE TO BRIEF
YOU MORE.
I'VE ALSO ASKED OUR CITY
DEPARTMENTS AND PARTNER
ORGANIZATIONS TO JOIN US HERE
TODAY TO PROVIDE YOU WITH AN
UPDATE ON ALL WE ARE DOING.
THE FIRST THING THAT I DO WANT
TO EMPHASIZE IS WHAT EVERYBODY
SHOULD DO FOR THEMSELVES AND
THEIR FAMILIES.
PROTECT YOURSELF, PROTECTOR
FAMILY, YOUR PETS AND NEIGHBORS
IN THE HEAT.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT
WE CAN DO IS TO LISTEN TO THE
PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES AND TO
LISTEN TO THE ADVICE ON
PREVENTING HEAT RELATED
ILLNESSES.
IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE, PLEASE BE
CAREFUL, ESPECIALLY VISITING
ONE OF OUR LAKES.
WE'VE ALREADY SEEN A NUMBER OF
DROWNINGS IN OUR AREA.
AS PEOPLE GO TO THE LAKES AND
RIVERS, WE WANT THEM TO BE
CAREFUL.
WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH AND
SEATTLE FIRE DISCUSS VARIOUS
STEPS THEY CAN DO AROUND THOSE
AREAS.
WE WILL ALSO BE OPENING A
NUMBER OF COOLING CENTERS AND
ADDING ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY
SHUNT SHELTER.
SEATTLE PARKS, SEATTLE FIRE AND
THE SEATTLE LIBRARIES ARE HERE
TO DISCUSS THOSE PLANS AND
EFFORTS TO CREATE NEW COOLING
CENTERS WHICH INCLUDE
LIBRARIES, COMMUNITY CENTERS
AND SENIOR CENTERS WHICH HAVE
BEEN CLOSED.
WE ARE WORKING TO REOPEN AS
MANY OF THOSE BUILDINGS AS
POSSIBLE AS ARE THE SEATTLE
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
WITH OUR PARTNERS THE CITY IN
THE COUNTY, WE WILL HAVE DAY
AND HYGIENE CENTERS OPEN AS
WELL AND THE CITY WILL OPEN AN
ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY CENTER AT
THE SEATTLE CENTER AND THIS IS
IN ADDITION TO THE ONE AT
EXHIBITION MALL.
úHEALTHONE WILL BE OPERATING
BOTH VEHICLES AND WILL BE USING
REGULAR HOURS.
OUR HOPE TEAM WILL BE OUT AND
DISTRIBUTING DOING WELFARE
CHECKS AND DISTURBING WATER IS
NECESSARY.
ALL OF THE TIMES, SITES AND
LOCATIONS FOR COOLING CENTERS
WILL BE ON OUR WEBSITE AT
SEATTLE.GOV.
WE REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO BE
OUTSIDE SAFELY ENJOYING THE
WADING POOLS TO COOL OFF.
AGAIN YOU WILL BE HEARING FROM
SEATTLE PARKS AND THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT ON PRECAUTIONS WE
WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE. WE WILL BE
ACTIVATING THE EMERGENCY
OPERATIONS CENTER SO WE CAN
MONITOR EVENTS AS THEY CONTINUE
. WE ALSO HAVE PARTNERSHIPS
WITH THE NUMBER OF FOLKS
DOWNTOWN INCLUDING AT PACIFIC
PLACE WHICH IS AIR-CONDITIONED
AND WILL BE OPEN AND WE OFFER
DISCOUNTS TO PEOPLE.
WE ARE WORKING WITH KING COUNTY
TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR
SERVICES ARE OVERLAPPING AS
WELL AND REALLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE
TO STAY WHERE IT IS COOL, DO
NOT OVEREXERT YOURSELF. IT'S A
GOOD TIME TO STAY INSIDE.
IF YOUR HOME IS HOT AND YOU
DON'T HAVE AIR CONDITIONING, WE
WILL TELL YOU SOME THINGS YOU
CAN DO ABOUT THAT.
THEATERS, RESTAURANTS, MUSEUMS,
MALLS, ALL GOOD PLACES TO GO
AND SPEND TIME BECAUSE THEY ARE
AIR-CONDITIONED.
LET'S GO TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE.
THEY WILL GIVE YOU THE MOST UP-
TO-DATE BRIEFING.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> WE STAND ON THE DOORSTEP OF
RECORD-BREAKING HEAT WAVES. IT
WILL START FRIDAY AND LAST INTO
NEXT WEEK. DAYTIME HIGH
TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE CITY OF
SEATTLE WILL RISE IN THE UPPER
80s UP TO 90 TOMORROW.
AND UPPER 80s AND LOW 100s BY
SUNDAY AND MONDAY.
THOSE TWO DAYS WE WILL BE
CHALLENGING NOT ONLY THE JUNE
RECORDS BUT ALL-TIME RECORDS
FOR SEATTLE.
ON MONDAY, WE HAVE A FORECASTED
HIGH OF 104 DEGREES, WHICH
BREAKS THE RECORD OF 103 SET IN
2009.
WE COULD SEE MINOR RELIEF EARLY
NEXT WEEK.
WE WILL BE SEEING ABOVE AVERAGE
TEMPERATURES CONTINUE THROUGH
THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND.
THAT MEANS OUR COMMUNITY WILL
CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE HEAT
STRESS THROUGH THE HOLIDAY
WEEKEND.
PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE
DAYTIME HIGHS AND THEN WE LOOK
AT THE OVERNIGHT LOWS, UPPER
60s TO LOW 70s WHICH OFFERS
LITTLE TO NO RELIEF TO THE
HOMES THAT HAVE NO AIR
CONDITIONING.
TEMPERATURES OF THIS MAGNITUDE
WILL BRING A HIGHLY RISK OF
HEAT RELATED ILLNESS, PARTICULAR
TO THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS
TO HYDRATION OR KULIK.
I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS.
THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED EVENT.
THOSE OF US AT THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN SEATTLE HAVE
NEVER SEEN A FORECAST LIKE THIS
BEFORE.
WE URGE EVERYBODY TO MAKE PLANS
. CHECK IN ON LOVED ONES,
NEIGHBORS AND KEEP YOUR PETS
AND COMMUNITY SAFE.
NOW I WILL INTRODUCE THE PUBLIC
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
HE IS JOINING US VIRTUALLY.
LET'S GO TO DENNIS.
>>
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.
THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING US ON
THE BRIEFING TODAY.
THIS HEAT EVENT, AS YOU HAVE
JUST HEARD, IS VERY CONCERNING.
WE'VE HAD HOT DAYS IN THE
NORTHWEST.
BUT THROUGH THESE EXTREME
EVENTS WE NOTICE THEY CAN CAUSE
ISSUES.
ESPECIALLY TO LOW INCOME FOLKS
HERE IN THE NORTHWEST.
DURING PREVIOUS HEAT SURGES
WE'VE SEEN INCREASES IN
HOSPITALIZATIONS ACROSS THE
REGION.
PEOPLE SHOWING UP WITH HEAT
STROKES, HEART ATTACKS, KIDNEY
FAILURE. THESE ARE RESULTS
OFTEN TIME AS A RESULT OF HEAT
EVENTS.
PEOPLE ESPECIALLY AT RISK
INCLUDE THOSE WHO LIVE OR WORK
OUTSIDE, THOSE WHO HAVE MEDICAL
CONDITIONS, THOSE WHO TAKE
MEDICATIONS BECAUSE IT MAKES IT
MUCH HARDER FOR THEIR BODIES TO
REGULATE THEIR BODY TEMPERATURE
. PEOPLE WITH DIABETES AND
THOSE OVER 65.
AND THIS IMPACT IS ALSO FELT
DISPROPORTIONALLY IN
COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR
REGION, IN PARTICULAR, PEOPLE
OF COLOR AND IN LOW INCOME
AREAS.
THESE PEOPLE MORE LIKELY HAVE
HEALTH CONDITIONS AND LIVE IN
NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE HOTTER
BECAUSE OF LESS SHADE AND MORE
PAVEMENT.
THEY ARE ALSO LIKELY TO HAVE
LESS AMENITIES LIKE AIR
CONDITIONING AND THINGS LIKE
THAT THAT CAN PROTECT THEM.
WE WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT
THERE ARE STEPS TO TAKE TO HELP
US GET THROUGH THESE NEXT FEW
DAYS.
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND DRINK
WATER FREQUENTLY, EVEN IF YOU
ARE NOT THIRSTY.
LIMIT YOUR TIME OUTDOORS IN THE
SUNLIGHT. TAKE BREAKS AND GO TO
THE SHADE.
COOL OFF.
IF YOU HAVE A HOT HOME OR ARE
IN A PLACE THAT YOU ARE STAYING
THAT IS HOT, PLEASE TAKE BREAKS
FROM THAT AND GO TO SOMEWHERE
THAT HAS AIR CONDITIONING.
THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF
COOLING CENTERS OPEN AS THE
MAYOR ALREADY MENTIONED.
YOU CAN GO TO FRIENDS HOMES AND
MOVIE THEATERS AND OTHER AREAS
WE HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED
ALREADY.
HEY VAGUE PLAN HAVE A PLAN
WHERE TO GO.
YOU COULD TAKE A COOL BATH.
PLAYSKOOL WATCH GLASS ON YOUR
SKIN.
YOU CAN REDUCE THE HEAT THAT
YOUR BODY MAY BE EXPERIENCING
THAT WAY.
WE DO HAVE A MESSAGE FOR
EMPLOYERS.
PLAN FOR FREQUENT BREAKS AND
HAVE PLENTY OF WATER FOR YOUR
OUTDOOR WORKERS.
MANY ARE WORKING IN EXTREME
CONDITIONS.
FOR ALL OF US, AND AS THE MAYOR
MENTIONED, CHECK UP ON YOUR
ELDERLY NEIGHBORS AND RELATIVES
AND TAKE PRECAUTIONS AND REACH
OUT TO THOSE THAT WE LOVE AND
CARE ABOUT.
WE KNOW IT WILL BE UNCOMFORTABLE
FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE FATAL.
WE ASK THAT YOU TAKE THESE
RECOMMENDATIONS SERIOUSLY AND
TAKE CARE OF ONE ANOTHER AND
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES.
BACK TO YOU, MAYOR.
>> WE ARE GOING TO THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT NEXT.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.
IT IS UNPRECEDENTED, AS WE ARE
HEARING. FROM THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT, A FEW HIGHLIGHTS.
WE DON'T SEE IMPACTS TO THE
VACCINE AND TESTING SITES.
WE HAVE ALL SCHEDULED VACCINE
POP-UPS THAT ARE PROCEEDING
FORWARD.
THE PRIDE VACCINE POP-UPS ON 11
AVENUE IN FRONT OF CHOPHOUSE
ROAD SATURDAY FROM 1:00 UNTIL
5:00.
AND FROM 11:00 UNTIL 3:00 AT
THE BLUEWATER BISTRO.
HEALTHONE, BOTH UNITS WILL BE
IN SERVICE FROM 9:00 A.M.
UNTIL 6:00 ON SUNDAY.
THEY WILL BE BRINGING WATER TO
THE MOST VULNERABLE AND SERVICE
THEM AS WELL.
WE'VE REDUCED TRAINING FOR THE
OPERATION CREWS SO WE CAN MAKE
SURE THE FIREFIGHTERS ARE SAFE
AND PROTECTED IN ORDER TO SERVE
THE PUBLIC.
HOT WEATHER SAFETY, A LITTLE
REDUNDANT OF WHAT YOU'VE
ALREADY HEARD, DRINK WATER, BE
PROACTIVE IN THAT.
AVOID STRENUOUS ACTIVITY,
ESPECIALLY OUTSIDE.
AVOID THE SUNSHINE.
NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN OR PETS IN
CARS, EVEN WITH WINDOWS DOWN.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE TO PROTECT
THEM.
AS FAR AS FIRE SAFETY,
ENCOURAGE DISPOSE OF SMOKING OR
GRILLING MATERIALS IN PROPER
RECEPTACLES AND MAKE SURE YOU
DOUSE THEM WITH WATER.
BE SURE CHAINS AND OTHER METAL
PARTS ARE NOT DRAGGING FROM
YOUR VEHICLES AS THEY CAN THROW
SPARKS.
DO NOT LIKE FIREWORKS.
WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE
AWARE OF OUR CURRENT
REGULATIONS REGARDING BURNING.
THOSE CAN BE FOUND AT
SEATTLE.GOV/FIRE.
AND WATER SAFETY.
ALWAYS SUPERVISE YOUR CHILDREN
ANYWHERE NEAR WATER. SWIMWEAR
ONLY LIFEGUARDS ARE PRESENT.
SWIM WITH A FRIEND.
TELL FRIENDS AND FAMILIES WHEN
YOU GO IN THE WATER. AND PLEASE
BE SURE TO WEAR YOUR LIFE
JACKETS.
THANK YOU.
I WILL CALL UP JUSTIN WITH THE
PARKS DEPARTMENT.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU, WILLIAM.
I AM WITH SEATTLE PARKS AND
RECREATION.
TODAY I WANT TO WELCOME YOU
BACK TO OUR POOLS, WADING POOLS
AND SPRING PARKS.
THIS WEEKEND AND THE SUMMER WE
KICK OFF THE OUTDOOR SPRAY PARK
SEASON ON SATURDAY, THE 26,
WHERE WE WILL HAVE 11 WADING
POOLS AND 6 SPRAY PARKS ACROSS
THE CITY OPEN FROM 12:00 UNTIL
7:00 P.M.
NIGHTLY.
WE WILL ALSO HAVE EIGHT SWIM
BEACHES OPEN ON THE WEEKENDS.
WE HAVE TO MAKE INDOOR POOLS AS
WELL.
ALSO TWO OUTDOOR POOLS.
WE WILL ALSO BE OPENING UP
THREE COMMUNITY CENTER COOLING
CENTERS.
WE WILL HAVE ONE AT NORTHGATE
THAT WILL OPERATE SATURDAY AND
SUNDAY FROM 2:00 UNTIL 8:00.
ONE AT RAINIER BEACH COMMUNITY
CENTER, FROM 2:00 UNTIL 8:00.
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT CHINA
TOWN CENTER FROM 2:00 UNTIL 8:00
ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY.
AS A REMINDER, IF YOU ARE OUT
AT THE PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS,
MANY OF THE PLAY MATERIAL MAY
BE WARM TO TOUCH SO TOUCH THAT
SLIDER PIECE OF EQUIPMENT YOU
WILL BE PLAYING ON PRIOR TO
HAVING YOUR CHILDREN GET ON
THAT EQUIPMENT. IT COULD BURN
YOUR SKIN TO THE TOUCH.
BE SAFE AND ENJOY YOUR SUMMER.
THANK YOU.
NEXT WE WILL HAVE HELEN HOWELL
FROM HST.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I AM HELEN HOWELL. GOOD
AFTERNOON.
WE HAVE CONFIRMED TODAY A
PLANNED OPENING OF A 24 HOUR
EMERGENCY COOLING SHELTER AT
FISHER PAVILION TO PROVIDE
RELIEF.
THE EMERGENCY SHELTER WILL BE
OPEN FROM THE MORNING ON
SATURDAY, JUNE 26, UNTIL
TUESDAY, JUNE 29.
IT WILL BE OPERATED BY THE
SALVATION ARMY WITH CAPACITY
FOR 73 INDIVIDUALS. MEALS WILL
BE PROVIDED BY OPERATION SACK
LUNCH.
IN ADDITION, THE HELP TEAM IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH OUTREACH
PROVIDERS WILL BE CONDUCTING
WELFARE CHECKS AND HANDING OUT
WATER AND BASIC NEED SUPPLIES
AND PROVIDING OTHER SUPPORTS,
INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION TO
COOLING CENTERS AND THE COOLING
SHELTER.
THERE COULD BE SOME LIMITED
AVAILABILITY FOR THE TINY HOME
AND OTHER SHELTER SPACES.
IN ADDITION, THE LAKE CITY
COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH HAS
SERVED AS A DAY CENTER, WILL BE
OPEN THIS WEEKEND AND OPERATE
AT A COOLING LOCATION.
EXTENDED HOURS OF OPERATION ON
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ARE 9:00
A.M.
UNTIL 6:00 P.M.
THE HST HAS COMPILED A LIST OF
OTHER DAY CENTERS THAT WILL BE
OPEN DURING THE HEAT WAVE FOR
THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
THEY WILL FIND THAT WITH THE
MAYOR'S PRESS RELEASE.
ONE THAT IS WORTH MENTIONING IS
A SALVATION ARMY DAY CENTER.
THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 200
DURING THE DAYTIME.
HST AGING AND DISABILITY
SERVICES CASE MANAGERS WHO WORK
WITH VULNERABLE OLDER ADULTS
HAVE BEEN CHECKING IN WITH
CLIENTS AND DISTRIBUTING ITEMS
TO THOSE IN NEED ALL WEEK.
ALSO, SOME OF THE SENIOR
CENTERS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE
AS COOLING CENTERS.
THAT INCLUDES THE PIKE PLACE
MARKET SENIOR CENTER, SENIOR
CENTER WEST SEATTLE, SOUTHEAST
SEATTLE SENIOR CENTER, CENTRAL
AREA SEATTLE SENIOR CENTER.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PEOPLE
CALL HAD TO CONFIRM THE HOURS
AND AVAILABILITY AT THESE
SENIOR CENTER SITES.
THANK YOU.
WITH THAT, I WILL SEND IT BACK
OVER TO THE MAYOR.
>> NOW WE HAVE TOM FAY OF
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. AS MANY OF
YOU MAY KNOW THE SEATTLE PUBLIC
LIBRARY HAS BEGUN OPENING AS OF
JUNE AND WE ARE HAPPY NOW TO BE
ABLE TO ASSIST IN THIS EFFORT.
AS WE GO INTO SATURDAY, WE HAVE
SEVEN LOCATIONS OPEN ACROSS THE
CITY INCLUDING THE CENTRAL
LIBRARY.
SUNDAY WE HAVE FIVE LOCATIONS
OPEN.
AND ON MONDAY, WE WILL HAVE
THREE.
AS WE MOVE INTO THE REST OF THE
WEEK, TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY,
ANYWHERE FROM 6-10 LIBRARIES
WILL BE OPEN. FOLKS CAN COME IN.
YOU DO NEED TO BE WEARING YOUR
MASKS.
BUT YOU CAN GET ALL THE OTHER
SERVICES YOU NORMALLY WOULD
EXPECT AT THE LIBRARY. WE HAVE
COMPUTER ACCESS AGAIN.
YOU CAN COME IN AND RECHARGE
YOUR DEVICES.
SIT DOWN, READ AND ENJOY THE
COOL AIR TEMPERATURES.
WE HAVE ALL OF OUR INFORMATION
POSTED AS WELL ON SEATTLE.GOV.
WE WILL ALSO BE SENDING OUT A
PRESS RELEASE WITH ALL OF THE
LOCATIONS AND THE TIMES WHERE
THESE LIBRARIES WILL BE OPEN.
>> NOW WE WILL GO TO PHIL
SAUNDERS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE CITY
DEPARTMENTS TOGETHER TO DISCUSS
THIS UPCOMING EXTREME EVENT.
I AM PHILIP SAUNDERS, DIRECTOR
OF ASSISTANCE AND FINANCE OF
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.
DURING ANY TYPE OF EMERGENCY
AND EVENT, WE ARE PREPARED TO
HELP OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS.
WE ARE PROACTIVELY WORKING
TOGETHER. FIRST, WE ARE WORKING
TO SUPPORT THE HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT IN ANY SUPPORT THEY
NEED WITH THE COOLING SHELTERS
OR PAVILIONS.
WE ARE DURING THE PANDEMIC AND
WE STILL HAVE PPE SUPPLIES READY
AND AVAILABLE.
WE HAVE STRATEGICALLY PLACED
SUPPLIES READILY AVAILABLE AT
PLACES AROUND THE CITY.
SECONDLY, WE WORK WITH HST AND
OUR FRIENDS IN PARKS TO
ISTRIBUTE SUPPLIES AT SHELTERS
AS NEEDED.
THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THEM.
WE ARE ON A 24/7 SCHEDULE RIGHT
NOW.
FINALLY, I WANT TO REMIND FOLKS
ABOUT THE FORECAST. IT'S NOT
ONLY UNCOMFORTABLE FOR US BUT
ALSO OUR PET.
WE'VE SAID IT OVER AND OVER.
THE ANIMAL SHELTER FOR THE CITY
ALWAYS SAYS PET OWNER SHOULD
NEVER LEAVE OWNERS INDIRECT
SUNLIGHT UNSUPERVISED.
JUST LIKE YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE
, MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE
SHADE.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE A GOOD
STEWARD IN CHECKIN ON YOUR
NEIGHBORS AS WELL.
I ALSO WANT TO REMIND FOLKS
THAT WE ARE IN THE PANDEMIC SO
PLEASE CHECK IN ON YOUR
NEIGHBORS AND MAKE SURE THAT A
BUDDY REMAIN SAFE DURING THIS
TIME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I WILL HAND IT OVER TO DEBORAH
SMITH.
EXCUSE ME, MICHELLE VARGO.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I AM MICHELLE VARGO.
I AM THE CHIEF OPERATING
OFFICER FOR SEATTLE CITY LIGHT.
I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT,
IN GENERAL, THE NORTHWEST AS A
REGION HAS ADEQUATE RESOURCES
TO MEET THE LOADS WE ANTICIPATE
TO SEE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS
WITH THE WAY.
WE ARE COORDINATING REGIONALLY
THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM, WHICH IS A
SYSTEM THAT OBVIOUSLY OPERATES
TOGETHER AND WE ARE WORKING
WITH THE UTILITIES THAT
SURROUND US.
WE DO BELIEVE THAT THIS POINT
IN TIME THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE
TO GET THROUGH THIS EVENT WITH
THE RESOURCES THAT WE DO HAVE.
IN SEATTLE SPECIFICALLY, FOR
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT, WE ARE A
WINTER-PEAKING UTILITY AND
TYPICALLY WE SEE THE HIGHEST
DEMAND ON OUR SYSTEM IN THE
WINTER.
FOR REFERENCE, WE HAVE NOT SEEN
A SUMMERTIME PEAK THAT IS MORE
THAN 75% OF THE PEAK THAT WE
SEE IN THE WINTERTIME.
TYPICALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR,
THE SYSTEM SEES A 50%, COMPARED
TO THE WINTER PEAK DEMAND.
AGAIN, WE DO THINK THAT WE HAVE
THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO GET
THROUGH THIS EVENT.
WE HAVE RESCHEDULED ANY OUTAGES
THAT WOULD BE IMPACTING
CUSTOMERS THROUGH THE EVENT,
SPECIFICALLY UNTIL MONDAY AND
WE WILL OF COURSE CONTINUE TO
RE-ASSESS THIS.
WE DON'T PLAN TO HAVE ANY
OUTAGES.
WILDFIRE CONCERNS ARE REAL.
WE ARE WORKING WITH ALL OF THE
OTHER UTILITIES AND MONITORING
THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT
HELP US TO MONITOR THOSE
CONDITIONS THAT MONITOR THE
TRANSMISSION RIGHT AWAITS TO
MAKE SURE WE CAN BE REACTIVE TO
ANY EVENTS THAT OCCUR ALONG ANY
RIGHT AWAY.
RIGHT OF WAY.
WE HAVE CRUZE READY TO RESPOND
TO RESTORE POWER AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE IF NEEDED. GIVEN THE
CONDITIONS, WE DO ENCOURAGE
RESIDENTS TO LIMIT THE HE
SOURCE THINGS -- THE HEAT
SOURCES IN THE HOMES.
UNPLUG ANY NECESSARY
ELECTRONICS.
KEEP YOUR BLINDS AND CURTAINS
CLOSED TO KEEP YOUR HOME AS
COOL AS POSSIBLE. THAT IS ALL
THAT I HAVE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>> THANK YOU, EVERYONE. WE
WILL NOW TAKE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWER.
DEBORAH AND DENNIS ARE
AVAILABLE AS WELL.
OKAY.
>> Reporter: I HEARD FIRE
MENTIONED THEY WOULD REDUCE
TRAINING?
I'M WONDERING IF THERE ARE ANY
SCENIC ROAD PROJECT THAT WILL
BE POSTPONED OR ANY
CANCELLATIONS AT ALL?
>> SAM ZIMBABWE IS HERE, HE
IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION .
THEY WILL BE WATERING BRIDGES
TO KEEP THEM COOLED AND
PRESERVE THEM FROM WARPING
DURING THE HEAT EVENT.
WE'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED AN
EVENT LIKE THIS.
THE WEATHER CENTER SAYS THEY'VE
NEVER SEEN DATA LIKE THIS BEFORE
AND IT IS JUNE AND DAD -- JUNE
IN SEATTLE.
SO BE SMART. IF YOU ARE AN
EMPLOYER AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE
WHO WORK OUTSIDE, LOOK AT WHAT
THE TEMPERATURES ARE AND MAKE A
WIDE DECISION WISE DECISION.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR CITY
CREWS OUTSIDE WILL ALSO HAVE
ADEQUATE WATER AND TIME TO GO
TO SHADE WHEN NECESSARY.
PEOPLE NEED TO LOOK AT A RANGE
OF THINGS.
THE COURT OF SEATTLE IS
ASSESSING WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH
THE AIRPORT.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE NOT HAD TO
CANCEL ANYTHING.
>> Reporter: WHAT ABOUT CITY
STAFFING OF EMERGENCY
RESPONDERS, POLICE AND FIRE?
>> WE ALWAYS CAN STAFF UP FOR
EMERGENCIES AND WE HAVE THE ON-
CALL FRAMEWORK.
I WILL LET FIRE ANSWER THAT
QUESTION.
RELEASE DO STAFF UP EVERY DAY.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
AS THE MAYOR SAID, WE DO STAFF
UP REGULARLY IF WE NEED TO.
WE HAVE STOOD UP HEALTHONE OVER
THE WEEKEND.
OUTSIDE OF THAT WE'VE NOT DONE
ANY ADDITIONAL STAFFING.
CORRECT.
>> Reporter: WHAT ABOUT
BRINGING IN MORE PARAMEDICS OR
SOMETHING?
>> WE CAN DO THAT VERY QUICKLY.
WE HAVE A REGULAR RECALL PLAN
WE EXECUTE FOR OTHER EVENTS. WE
COULD IMPLEMENT THAT PLAN IF
NEEDED.
>> Reporter: I WOULD LIKE TO
HEAR MORE FROM HST ABOUT THE
OPERATION TAKING PLACE WITH THE
OLDER AND VULNERABLE ADULTS.
IS THAT EDUCATION OR
DISTRIBUTION OF WATER AND
SUPPLIES?
>> IS HELEN HOWELL ON THE CALL
STILL?
THE QUESTION IS, CAN YOU TION?
DESCRIBE MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE
OUTREACH TO OUR SENIORS, YOU
SAID DISTRIBUTING FANS AND WATER
AND ACCESS. DESCRIBE THE
OUTREACH TO THEM.
>> OUR AGING AND DISABILITIES
DIVISION SERVES A LARGE NUMBER
OF OLDER ADULTS AND THEY DO
HAVE THE AT RISK LIST THAT IS
USED IN CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE THIS.
ALTHOUGH THE OVERALL POPULATION
COULD BE LABELED VULNERABLE,
THEY DO HAVE THE HIGH RISK LIST
AND THEY CHECK BY TELEPHONE.
THEY ARE FINDING OUT WHAT THE
SITUATION AND IF IT'S WORKING
AND WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE
TO THOSE FOLKS.
>> IT ALSO MAY HAVE GONE BY
PEOPLE BUT OUR SENIOR CENTERS
HAVE BEEN CLOSED IN THE
PANDEMIC.
THOSE SENIOR CENTERS WERE SOME
OF THE FIRST PLACES HIT.
NOW THEY ARE BEING REOPENED AND
THEY ARE AIR-CONDITIONED AND
PEOPLE WILL HAVE A PLACE TO GO.
WE WILL HAVE A LIST THAT WE
WILL BE DISTRIBUTING.
>> Reporter: WHAT WILL BE
AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE IN THE
CENTERS?
>> IT WILL BE DEPENDENT UPON
THE CENTER.
LIBRARIES ARE AIR-CONDITIONED
AND HAVE ACCESS TO WATER.
THE COOLING CENTERS AND SHELTERS
, THEY ARE AIR-CONDITIONED AND
HAVE ACCESS TO EMERGENCIES
SHELTERS WHERE PEOPLE CAN SPEND
THE NIGHT.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EACH PLACE
IS EQUIPPED.
WE ALSO HAVE THE UNOFFICIAL
PLACES LIKE THE AIR-CONDITIONED
MALLS, STORES, MOVIE THEATERS,
OUR PARKS ARE OPEN.
THE SPRAY PARKS WILL BE OPEN AS
WELL AS THE BEACHES.
WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE VERY, VERY
CAREFUL, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE
NOT USED TO SWIMMING IN THE
WATERS.
BEING HOT AND GOING INTO THE
COLD LAKE CAN CAUSE SHOCK SO
REALLY WATCH YOUR KIDS AND
WATCH EACH OTHER.
>> Reporter: WHAT ABOUT THE
SYMPTOMS FOR HEAT EXHAUSTION?
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK EMERGENCY
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE?
>> IF THE SYMPTOMS LAST MORE
THAN ONE HOUR, WE WANT YOU TO
SEEK METAL IN ADVICE.
DRINK WATER, PLENTY OF FLUIDS,
GET INTO THE SHADE.
TAKE A COOL BATH.
COOL YOURSELF DOWN.
BUT IF THOSE SYMPTOMS LAST MORE
THAN ONE HOUR, WE DO WANT YOU
TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.
FOR HEAT EXHAUSTION THE
SYMPTOMS ARE, VOMITING, GETTING
SICK, NOT FEELING WELL, DRY
SKIN, CRAMPS, FATIGUE, TIREDNESS
. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS
AND SYMPTOMS.
HEAT STROKE, DRY SKIN, PALE
SKIN, YOU WOULD BE REALLY RED
AND DRY.
EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURE.
A FEVER OF OVER 103. IF THOSE
SYMPTOMS LAST FOR OVER ONE HOUR
AND YOU CANNOT COOL DOWN, SEEK
MEDICAL ATTENTION.
>>> WE HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS
FROM PEOPLE ATTENDING VIRTUALLY.
WE WILL START WITH ONE NOW.
DANIEL FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES
FIRST.
>> Reporter: HELLO.
WITH THE REOPENED SENIORS
SHELTERS, WILL THOSE REMAIN
REOPENED PAST TUESDAY?
AND WHAT ABOUT THE 24-HOUR
SHELTER?
>> WE WILL BE ASSESSING SOME OF
THE LIBRARIES BECAUSE THEY ARE
REOPENING AND TRYING TO STACK UP
THE LIBRARIES. THOSE ARE
LIMITED BY WHO THEY CAN RECALL.
WE HAVE ADDITIONAL RECALL FOR
THE LIBRARIES WERE ALSO LOOKING
AT THE COMMUNITY CENTERS AND
WILL STAGGER THOSE.
WE ARE GOING TO BE WATCHING THE
WEATHER CONDITIONS LIKE
EVERYBODY ELSE.
WE WILL TRY -- YES, ALL OF THE
INFORMATION WILL BE ONLINE. WE
WILL ALSO PUSH THIS OUT
PROACTIVELY SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW
WHERE THEY CAN GO.
>> Reporter: I HAVE ONE FOLLOW-
UP AND SPECIFICALLY FOR THE 24
HOUR SHELTER FOR THOSE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
ANY PLANS TO INCREASE CAPACITY
TO KEEP THAT OPEN FOR LONGER IF
NEEDED?
>> WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THE
WEATHER CONDITIONS TO SEE WHAT
HAPPENS AND IF WE CAN CONTINUE
THAT.
>> Reporter: OUR NEXT QUESTION
IS FROM DAVID.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
QUESTION FOR YOU.
THERE WAS A REPORT OF THE
PUBLIC WATER FOUNTAINS BEING
SHUT DOWN, 81% OF THEM.
THEY WERE SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF
COVID-19 AND THERE'S ALSO A
SHORTAGE OF PARTS AND THE
CITIES WORKING ON GETTING THOSE
TURNED BACK ON.
DOES THE CITY HAVE A SPECIFIC
GOAL OF HOW MANY PUBLIC
DRINKING FOUNTAINS WILL BE BACK
ONLINE OVER THE WEEKEND?
>> THE SHORT ANSWER IS, AGAIN,
COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND
THE WINTERTIME, MOST OF THOSE
FACILITIES WERE CLOSED BUT NOW
WE ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK
TO GET AS MANY REOPENED AS
POSSIBLE.
WE HOPE TO HAVE AROUND 100
DRINKING FACILITIES OPEN. PARKS
, DO YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT?
THAT'S THE UP-TO-DATE NEWS FROM
SEATTLE PARKS.
>> Reporter: POOLS AND BEACHES?
>> POOLS AND BEACHES, YOU
TALKED ABOUT THE LIFEGUARDS AND
THE FOUR POOLS. IS THAT REDUCED
FROM WHAT WE WOULD SEE IN A
NORMAL SUMMERTIME? ARE THERE
BEACHES THAT DON'T HAVE
LIFEGUARDS?
>> GREAT QUESTION.
WE ARE OPENING EIGHT BEACHES.
WE HAVE NINE.
BUT THE NINTH IS AT EAST GREEN
LAKE.
WE ARE OPENING WEST GREEN LAKE.
WE HAVE A RESERVED STAFF OVER
THE SUMMER.
AND THE POOLS.
WE DON'T HAVE SWIM LESSONS
GOING ON OR SWIM TEAMS.
WE DO HAVE OPEN SWIM AND LAP
SWIM.
>> Reporter: ONE LAST QUESTION,
MAYOR.
THIS IS PRIDE WEEKEND FOR A LOT
OF PEOPLE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL BE OUT
DRINKING OUTDOORS AND
CELEBRATING.
DO YOU HAVE A MESSAGE FOR THEM?
>> YES, IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT
TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.
IT IS A TIME TO CELEBRATE PRIDE
BUT TO DO IT SMART.
REALLY THINK ABOUT WHAT THE
HEAT DIES.
THE SAME RULES APPLY.
LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER.
MINIMIZE THE TIME YOU ARE IN
THE DIRECT SUNLIGHT.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE DRINKING LOTS
OF NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND
WATER.
REALLY TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT
YOU ARE LIMITING THE ACTIVITIES
. IF YOU SEE SOME OF YOU IS NOT
FEELING WELL AND IT'S NOT NORMAL
AND THEY HAVE ANY OF THE
SYMPTOMS WE TALKED ABOUT, IT IS
REALLY IMPORTANT TO GET THEM
HELP.
EITHER CALL 911 OR GET THEM TO
THE HOSPITAL.
WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH
OUR VACCINATIONS AND NOW MANY
PEOPLE ARE COMING TOGETHER
AGAIN AND ENJOYING EACH OTHER'S
COMPANY. WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE
ABLE TO DO THAT. BUT WE WANT
PEOPLE TO DO THAT SAFELY.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS SAID
, AS WE APPROACHED THE FOURTH
OF JULY WEEKEND, WE SEE PEOPLE
SETTING OFF FIREWORKS IN
ADVANCE OF THAT. THE RISK OF
FIRE IS GREAT.
WE ASK PEOPLE NOT TO BE USING
FIREWORKS.
IT COULD CAUSE A NUMBER OF
THINGS.
IT COULD ENDANGER THE POWER
LINES.
IT COULD MAKE IT VERY DANGEROUS
FOR PEOPLE. IT REQUIRES
FIREFIGHTERS TO RESPOND TO THAT
INSTEAD OF OTHER THINGS THEY
CAN BE DOING TO HELP OTHERS
THROUGH THIS.
WE REALLY JUST ASKED PEOPLE TO
BE SMART.
>>> WE HAVE ONE MORE ONLINE
QUESTION.
CAROLYN, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> Reporter: THANK YOU, SO MUCH.
I WAS JUST WONDERING REALLY
QUICKLY, WHEN YOU ARE LISTING
OUT THE DIFFERENT SHELTERS AND
OPTIONS, DID THE CITY CONSIDER
WORKING WITH HOTELS TO PROVIDE
COOL OVERNIGHT SHELTERS FOR
THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING
HOPELESSNESS OR FOR LOW INCOME
FAMILIES WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS
TO THE SHELTERS?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION,
CAROLYN. WE BEEN WORKING WITH
HOTELS THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.
WHAT IS REALLY THE LIMITING
FACTORS ARE THE SERVICE
PROVIDERS TO ASSIST.
MANY OF THE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS ARE IN GREAT NEED
BUT WE DON'T HAVE SERVICE
PROVIDERS.
THE SHELTERS WE OPEN OUR THOSE
WE COULD DO MOST QUICKLY. IN
THE COMING DAYS AND WEEKS WE
WILL BE OBVIOUSLY REOPENING AS
MANY SHELTERS AS POSSIBLE.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
IT'S GOING TO BE HOT. IT'S
GOING TO BE REALLY HOT.
AND IT IS ONLY JUNE.
NORMALLY, SEATTLE GOES FROM, WE
ARE SICK OF THE RAIN TO IT IS
TOO HOT.
BUT THIS REALLY BE IT IS TOO
HOT.
THIS IS ANOTHER INDICATION OF
WHAT CLIMATE CHANGES DONE TO
OUR COUNTRY. MY ONE MESSAGE IS,
PLEASE, EVERYBODY, TAKE CARE OF
EACH OTHER.
BE SMART.
DRINK A LOT OF WATER. DON'T
OVEREXERT EACH OTHER.
THANK YOU FOR THE MEDIA FOR
GETTING THIS MATCHES MESSAGE
OUT.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.