With frigid temperatures, many Camden County residents are concerned about the measures that will have to be taken to stay warm and, most importantly, safe.
With the frigid temperatures, many Camden County residents are concerned about the measures that will have to be taken to stay warm and, most importantly, safe. Camden County has measures in place to help community members stay safe this winter, including issuing of a Code Blue.
According to Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, two levels of Code Blue are typically issued — an advisory for more mild weather and an emergency for temperatures that drop below the freezing point.
A Code Blue is put out as a public service announcement through Camden County’s network of digital and traditional mediums, according to Camden County spokesman Dan Keashen.
When Camden County calls a Code Blue, the Health Department with notify relevant human service agencies, and the Office of Emergency Management will notify all emergency personnel, Rodriguez explained.
Some of the differences include the length of time a code is issued. Advisories are usually issued on a night that is relatively cold, while the emergency is normally a three-day stretch, according to Rodriguez. Emergencies also have more “warming sites” available.
Individuals in need of a warming center would be notified by outreach workers, first responders and other hands-on public servants, and the remainder of the public who are not in immediate need would be notified by a public service announcement when warming centers are open according to Keashen.
Camden County also partners with municipalities to ensure residents’ needs are being met, such as working with the Camden County Metro to ensure heating is adjusted accordingly in the homes of seniors. Homeless are directed toward shelters.
Kevin Seta, emergency manager coordinator for Cherry Hill, identified a series of “Warm Centers” in cases when a Code Blue is issued. Cherry Hill warm centers include the Cherry Hill Mall, Cherry Hill Public Library, Carman Tilelli Community Center and the Cherry Hill Township Municipal Building.
The warm centers are not shelters, Seta said. Although the centers do not have food or drinks available, it is a safe place to stay out of the cold.
The Mabel Kay Senior Center in Haddonfield will be utilized as a warming center for senior citizens, according to Police Chief Theodore Stuessy. The center will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Haddonfield Police Department has a local OEM coordinator who assists in finding other potential resources for warming centers during extreme weather; however they do not have a designated warming center for homeless individuals, according to Stuessy.
For those outside when a Code Blue is issued, the Camden County website recommends dressing in layers and covering exposed skin to avoid frostbite, specifically hands, head and feet. It only takes 30 to 45 minutes for exposed skin to develop frostbite. Mittens are encouraged to keep children’s hands warmer and are recommended over gloves. Avoid wearing cotton, because it holds in moisture and loses its insulating properties, as stated on the Camden County website.
Rodriguez encourages Camden County residents to be aware of vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly and pets. Community members should touch base with elderly people who live alone to “check in” and make sure their homes are adequately heated. All pets should be kept inside. Water lines and sewer lines burst in below freezing conditions. To combat this issue, it is recommended to keep heat on at all times.
Although enduring such a cold climate can be frightening, Rodriguez hopes to give solace to those who are concerned about the winter ahead.
“I think that the most encouraging thing is awareness, is you are aware and you are prepared, then it doesn’t have to be that scary,” she said.
For more information on Camden County’s Code Blue or to get a complete list of tips, go to http://www.camdencounty.com/camden-county-health-department-issues-code-blue-4/.
