The City of New Haven has activated its Severe Cold Weather Protocol in conjunction with Governor Malloy and the state Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security. All branches of the New Haven Free Public Libraries will serve as daytime warming centers during regular business hours and the city’s Overnight Warming Center located at Bethel AME on Goffe Street will open Thursday, December 15th at 10:00 PM. The Overnight Warming Center will remain open throughout the winter; a second overnight warming center will open February 1stto provide additional space. New Haven Police will visit areas frequented by homeless residents and warn them of the dangerous weather that will impact the city. Attached is a Word document of the flow chart that will be utilized for shelter and warming center locations and contact information.
BACKGROUND:
At the direction of Governor Dannel P. Malloy, the Department of Emergency Services/Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DESPP/ DEMHS), Department of Housing (DOH), Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and the Department of Social Services (DSS), United Way 2-1-1, the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, and other partners are implementing the severe cold weather protocol to ensure adequate shelter space during the severe cold weather.
The protocol is being activated as a result of the forecasted bitter cold temperatures and strong winds, resulting in single digit temperatures with wind chill factors below zero, Thursday night through Saturday morning. The protocol will remain in effect from 4:00 pm Thursday, December 15, until Saturday December 17 at 10:00 am.
Governor Malloy encourages cities and towns to consider opening warming centers or other facilities to help those in need. In addition, we want to ensure that if local shelters or other facilities used during cold weather emergencies reach their capacities, there is a system in place to find out where there is space so they can direct individuals and families accordingly.
If you receive a call from someone looking for shelter and you are not aware of any shelter space, please direct the person to 2-1-1. DEMHS will open an Incident on WebEOC, “Severe Cold Weather December 15-17, 2016." If your town opens a shelter or warming center, please indicate its status on WebEOC. Working with local shelters, 2-1-1 will act as a clearinghouse to ensure that shelter space is found for those that need it. Please spread the word of this critical service provided by 2-1-1.
On behalf of the Governor, we thank you again for your hard work and dedication all year round—and especially in these cold and stormy winter months—to help individuals and families.
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