There are new ways to help the homeless through social media & email in the District. Resource information about hypothermia alerts.

Did you know that the hypothermia season spans from November 1 to the end of March 31? It appears that normal hypothermia plans are in effect tonight, since a hypothermia alert is only declared when the temperature reaches 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below, including the wind chill. However, during these specified times, shelter must be available by law. Someone who is homeless can be a teenager, a veteran in need of affordable housing, chronically homeless or other. If you spotted someone in the District in need of emergency accommodations, during severe cold weather, would you know how to help him or her safely, if it appears that help is needed? It is often unknown if someone who is warming themselves with the help of a heat grate, or wrapped up in a blanket refused shelter, unless an experienced professional who is equipped to handle various situations can inquire fully.

Any new plan may need tweaking, but Mayor Vincent C. Gray recently took steps to partner more with the community to address this difficult issue, especially during severe weather conditions. On January 7, Mayor Gray announced additional provisions that can be implemented for homeless individuals in the District, during emergency weather conditions. As the weather dips, @DCHypothermia was reportedly launched to help link those in need of warmth with homeless shelters, and to provide additional hypothermia information, such as sharing public updates on emergency warming centers and basic tips to stay warm. As shelters fill up, additional measures, such as use of warming buses, may be used to accommodate more of the homeless community in need. In these cases, a portable restroom is also supposed to be located nearby.

 During cold weather emergencies, individuals may help the homeless, by emailing uposh@upo.org, or by calling the shelter hotline at 1-800-535-7252, 202-399-7093, or 311 for assistance. It was also stated that @DCHypothermia is not intended for direct reporting. Please be advised that those who call or email should note the time, location of a sighting, and provide a description of an individual, to facilitate follow-up.

"We believe you are the best advocate for someone you see on the streets. Your email goes directly to the hotline dispatchers," @DCHypothermia tweeted.

For those who visit, live or work in the District, emergency or critical alerts can be obtained via text message or email from Alert DC, after signing up.   https://textalert.ema.dc.gov/index.php?CCheck=1  In addition to addressing human safety, alerts can also prove beneficial to remind pet owners to bring them indoors.

Please follow @DCHypothermia on Twitter or visit
http://dmhhs.dc.gov/release/provisions-homeless-emergency-weather-event-january-8-2014 to receive up-to-date information about hypothermia and related topics. In reference to offerings available in neighboring areas or counties, please note the following public listings for hypothermia numbers:  Prince George’s, 888-731-0999; Montgomery,  240-777-4000; Arlington, 703-228-7395; Alexandria, 703-548-7500.


--Velocity DMV