Page 14 - The Indian EYE 061424

COMMUNITY OP-ED JUNE 14, 2024 | The Indian Eye 14

NYC SUMMER SAFETY: Enjoy NYC

More This Summer Thanks to Additional

Lifeguards and New Cooling Centers

sands of miles away.
This year, we have updated our
air quality emergency guidelines
with new protocols and monitoring.
We are doing more outreach to vul-
nerable populations, and expanding
protections for critical services and
infrastructure, such as public trans-
portation and hospitals. If there are
serious air quality concerns, we can
modify school operations and out-
door events, and distribute high-qual-
ity masks to the public.
New Yorkers are encouraged
ERIC ADAMS Summers are different than they used to be. With climate change leading to more frequent and to sign up for Notify NYC, the city’s
free emergency notification system,
ast weekend, we unofficially intense heat, a heat wave can be more than just uncomfortable (File/Agency photo) which keeps everyone updated about
kicked off the summer in New weather, air quality, and other emer-
L York City during Memorial ing are allowed ONLY when a life- a broad variety of cooling center op- gency issues. Notify NYC is available
Day weekend. Our beaches are open guard is on duty. Lifeguards are on tions available in our city. These in- in 14 languages, including American
for the season, and our public pools duty 7 days a week, from 10:00 AM clude many of our public libraries, Sign Language. Visit nyc.gov/notify
will open June 27. New York City has until 6:00 PM through September 8. older adult centers, and museums, to sign up or call 3-1-1. You can also
so much to see and do that people They are looking out for your safety, in addition to official New York City visit airnow.gov for up-to-date infor-
forget that this is a beach town, with but everyone needs to do their part. Cooling centers. mation on air quality in your area.
two of the best beaches in the entire Be aware of surf conditions, especial- It’s not too early to plan for an As we saw during Superstorm
country just a subway ride away! ly riptide warnings, which can sweep extreme heat event. Just like you Sandy, a hurricane heading towards
We want to make sure summer even experienced swimmers out to locate the emergency exit on an air- New York City is one of the biggest
in the city is fun and safe, no matter sea with little warning. plane ahead of time, it’s a good idea threats we face, and the upcoming
what the weather conditions. That’s While a perfect day at the beach to locate a nearby cooling option Atlantic hurricane season is expect-
why we are hitting the ground run- is one of the best things about sum- before you need it. Make sure your ed to be worse than usual because of
ning this season, with good news mer, extreme heat can be dangerous family, friends, and neighbors have near-record warm ocean tempera-
about lifeguard staffing and expand- and even deadly. cooling plans, too — especially those tures, among other factors.
ed plans to protect New Yorkers from Summers are different than they who are vulnerable to extreme heat, New Yorkers can find out if they
extreme heat and other emergencies. used to be. With climate change lead- including older folks, families with live in one of the six hurricane evac-
Let’s start with lifeguards. As ing to more frequent and intense young children, and people who need uation zones by visiting NYC.gov/
many New Yorkers are aware, there is heat, a heat wave can be more than to bring their pets with them. While knowyourzone or by calling 3-1-1.
a national lifeguard shortage. It’s not just uncomfortable — it can be dan- service animals are welcome at all Make a plan to evacuate by knowing
just an issue in the greatest city in the gerous or even life threatening. That centers, there are also designated where you will go and how you will
world. But lifeguard shortages mean is why New York City is getting ready pet-friendly cooling centers in every get there.
fewer places to swim. That’s why the in advance — and we want all New borough, so plan ahead to make sure Flash flooding is also a concern
city has been working to change some Yorkers to be ready, too. everyone is safe. for our city. If you live in a below grade,
of the rules in the contract with the Having a working air condi- In addition to opening cooling low-lying or low drainage area, make
union representing city lifeguards to tioner or a fan in your home is one centers citywide, we are also expand- sure you have a plan for extreme flash
allow us to hire more New Yorkers to of the most effective ways to guard ing our city’s natural cooling system flooding. As with every other emer-
keep more of our beaches open longer. against heat emergencies. If you — our tree canopy. Our Parks De- gency, make sure you are prepared
Last week, we announced com- need help purchasing an air con- partment has planted over 15,000 in advance. There are great resourc-
monsense changes that will modern- ditioner or fan, you may be able new trees in 2024, and we are on pace es online at nyc.gov/readynewyork.
ize our lifeguard requirements and to get help from the Home Ener- to plant more than 18,000 trees this This administration has made
align them with state regulations gy Assistance Program. Dial 311 or year — the highest total in eight years. public safety the center of everything
and industry standards. It will allow visit nyc.gov/311 for more informa- Prolonged heat is not our only we do, and that includes preparing
us to hire more fully qualified life- tion and to learn about eligibility. concern. Our city must be prepared for weather emergencies and protect-
guards, keep our beaches and pools Our city has also expanded the for other extreme weather events like ing people at our pools and beaches.
open, and improve overall safety for number of cooling centers available hurricanes, flash floods, and wildfire Let’s work together to make the sum-
our swimmers, especially our children this year, and our new “Cool Options” smoke. Last year, we saw how quickly mer of 2024 our safest summer ever.
and young people. map will now be available 24/7 online, dangerous wildfire smoke could blan- Eric Adams is the Mayor of
Remember: Swimming and bath- starting this week. This map will show ket our city, even from fires thou- New York City, NY

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