GNYHA has been asked to share the attached letter and procedure from New York City’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS) regarding its Code Red plan for homeless individuals living on the street. If an individual experiencing homelessness presents to your hospital emergency department, does not need immediate medical care, and requests or accepts DHS services, please call the DHS Joint Command Center at 212-607-6040 or e-mail shscc@dhs.nyc.gov.
Activation Procedure and Outreach Resources
DHS will declare a Code Red Alert when New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) activates the Heat Emergency Plan. A Code Red Level 1 will be activated when a Heat Advisory is issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). A Heat Advisory will be triggered when the forecasted heat index reaches 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for one day or more or heat indices are forecasted to reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit or higher at any point for two consecutive days or more.
A Code Red Level 2 will be activated when NYCEM initiates the Heat Emergency Plan and NWS issues an Excessive Heat Watch or Excessive Heat Warning. The activations are triggered when the forecasted heat index reaches 105 degrees Fahrenheit or more for any duration or heat indices are forecasted to reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit for four days or more.
Notably, a Code Red Level 2 will be continually in effect day and night until DHS issues a notification ending it.
DHS will conduct enhanced outreach during Code Red and Heat Emergency Plan activations.
GNYHA members should review their emergency management plans, specifically those related to Code Red, and share this information with the appropriate staff.
For any questions about DHS Code Red, please contact Jennifer Wilcox.