People experiencing homelessness need timely and accurate information on cooling centers during heat waves

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency list of cooling centers is neither timely nor accurate.

There’s a big problem with the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) cooling center list. Dangerous heat is expected to peak on Thursday and Friday, says RIEMA, with heat index values ranging from 98°F to 112°F.

RIEMA has provided a list of cooling centers, including locations that will be closed on Friday and Saturday in observance of Independence Day. \For instance, the Warwick Public Library is listed as a cooling center, but it will be closed on Friday and Saturday in observance of Independence Day. Here’s how it’s listed on RIEMA’s cooling center list:

Here’s my local library, Rochambeau on Hope Street in Providence. Turns out all Community Libraries of Providence will not be open on Saturday, though you would never know it if you were checking RIEMA’s website:

For people experiencing homelessness, this could be a problem. Imagine walking miles in extreme heat, only to find a locked door and no entry.

When I called RIEMA to report the issue, I was told I would receive a callback. 5:18

Anticipating this problem, a cooling center will be open at Holy Trinity Church, 1956 Main Road, Tiverton, Rhode Island, on July 4th from 10 am - 6 pm.

A press release from the Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project (RIHAP) called on the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency and the Executive Office of Housing to provide accurate information on cooling centers well in advance of dangerous heat waves. But when I called RIHAP Director Eric Hirsch and told him about the inaccurate list, he expressed exasperation. RIEMA and the EOH, he said, need to do a better job. In his press release, Director Hirsch noted that Mathewson Street Church was omitted from the list of cooling centers.

The list from RIEMA was issued at the last minute, so its value is already questionable. The lack of accurate information makes it that much worse.

Here’s the RIHAP press release:

“Although many think of cold weather as the most life-threatening to those experiencing homelessness, extreme heat is more deadly for those without a home. Research studies in hot climate regions such as Nevada and Southern California have shown that heat-related deaths can be 100 times more likely among those experiencing homelessness than for those who are housed. Heat-related health issues such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can quickly become fatal for those who are constantly exposed to extreme heat and direct sunlight. People experiencing homelessness often have pre-existing health conditions that can be exacerbated by extreme heat.

“Those experiencing homelessness who die from extreme heat are often found outside, so indoor cooling centers are the most important prevention strategy. We call on the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency and the Executive Office of Housing to provide detailed and accurate information about cooling centers well in advance of forecasted heat waves, so that our friends experiencing homelessness can plan to stay indoors once the heat wave begins. In this instance, information was not provided until the day before the heat wave began, and it did not include the fact that Mathewson Street Church would be open as a cooling center.”

A call to REIMA was not returned in time for this story.