“Heat Alert”: Immediate information about the heat waves in Athens – The 4 categories

Immediate information for heat conditions prevailing each time in Athena during the summer season, as well as for the measures to be taken for precaution of residentsprovides from today the Municipality of Athensvia “Heat Alert”. First in Europe, the Greek capital -along with the city of Seville- classifies heat waves in four categories of high temperatures and informs the Athenians according to the danger data, in order to be effectively protected from the extreme weather phenomenon.

For this pioneering initiative, the municipality collaborated with Scientific committee of the Arsht-Rock Resilience Center of the Atlantic Council in Washingtonas well as with the METEO of the National Observatory of Athens (EAA), from which he extracted the necessary data, through his team meteorologist Costas Lagouvardou. The categorization system is based on one health impact prediction algorithm of the inhabitants of Athens during the days of high temperatures. The development of the algorithm was held especially for the Greek capitalthrough the correlation of historical weather data, over a period of two decades, and mortality data.

The high temperature categorization system is divided as follows:

Category 0: High temperatures: Danger to the health of vulnerable people

Category 1: Extremely high temperatures: Follow the instructions and avoid prolonged exposure to heat – Inform vulnerable people

Category 2: Extremely high temperatures: Danger to health – Take precautions – Prepare to help vulnerable people

Category 3: Extreme temperatures: Significant health hazard – Take maximum precautions

It is noted that through the categorization, not only meteorological data are provided, but the risk, which may be encountered by the residents and visitors of Athens from the extreme heat, has been taken into account.

“In the Municipality of Athens, we focus on innovative solutions, in order to face the high temperatures in the city and to protect the residents and especially the most vulnerable from the heat conditions. “From today, Athenians can be informed in a timely and effective manner about the dangers of the coming heat waves, but also about the ways in which they can be protected.”emphasizes in a statement o Mayor of Athens Costas Bakogiannis and adds:

“Along with the actions we are activating against the extreme heat, we have prepared a complete plan for the adaptation of the city to climate change and the reduction of temperatures by the use of cold materials, and mainly by the creation of new green spaces, which offer ‘breaths’. “From very small, such as the nine” pocket “parks that we have already created in an equal number of neighborhoods of Athens to the Double Regeneration, a breath-taking project for Athens in its most heat-stricken area, Eleonas”, ends up.

The action plan of the Municipality of Athens in view of the heat

The Municipality of Athens has implemented one complete action plan against high temperatures. Measures to protect citizens include:

• Heat Alert via messageswith information for the early warning and protection of the inhabitants from the heat waves.
• Helpline Function [210-3638049] from the Municipal Clinics of the Municipality of Athens with information and support of the residents during the summer (hours: 08:30 – 19:30).
• Detailed information on the new page of the Municipality of Athens https://coolathens.cityofathens.gr/ with the aim of protecting and supporting the inhabitants of the city against high temperatures.
• “EXTREMA Global” mobile application with real-time “personalized risk” information on hot summer days. Includes: Map with the nearest places for coolness, the coolest routes for each destination, information on air pollution levels.
• In collaboration with the Greek Red Cross, appropriately equipped vans will circulate in the hottest neighborhoods of Athensduring periods of heat, with cool water and support in case of heat stroke.
• The schedule is extended to the air-conditioned Friendship Clubs on hot days, from 08.00 to 20.00.
• Support for the elderly through the “Help at Home” program to prevent and treat the symptoms of extreme heat in the home. Extension of the program with the participation of Greek Red Cross volunteers.
• Training seminars by the Greek Red Cross to all the Health employees of the Municipality of Athens and the employees employed in the Friendship Clubs and in the program “Help at Home” for the prevention and treatment of the effects of the heatwaves on the health of the vulnerable populations.

One year from the planning of actions against urban overheating

The heat waves are the most deadly weather phenomena compared to others, such as storms or floods. Their danger is largely determined by duration of the phenomenonbut also from at the time of their occurrence (are more dangerous in early summer). Taking into account these data, the Municipality of Athens, already last summer, appointed -first in Europe- head for the Management of Urban Heat (Chief Heat Officer) the Professor Eleni Myriviliwith the aim of planning actions against extreme heat.

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