Simcoe County remains under a heat warning this week as the region continues to see daily high temperatures into the 30s. Paramedics in the region are making sure the public knows and understands that everyone can show symptoms of heat exhaustion and are advising people not to stay in the sun for extended periods of time. Platoon supervisor for County of Simcoe Paramedics Chris Bischoff said there are multiple symptoms to look out for. “Looking for signs of dehydration, looking for your skin color, I’m looking for your level of consciousness, and I’m looking for whether your exposure periods that you’ve been (outside) if you’ve been out for hours,” said Bischoff. Bischoff added if you are outdoors and see someone showing symptoms of heat exposure to call paramedics right away and try and help any way you can. “Remove some of that unnecessary clothing that they might have. If they’re able to swallow because their level of consciousness is, we’ll give them some water and start hydrating them,” said Bischoff. “And then give the dispatcher as much information as possible to where your location is, and we’ll get there as soon as we can.” If the symptoms are not dealt with, heat exhaustion could turn into heat stroke and be fatal. “Everybody’s susceptible to this heat,” said Bischoff. “Just no exception to it, like I said, just the elderly and the kids are more susceptible to it, but they just get to that quicker.” The County of Simcoe has also opened cooling centres across the region for those experiencing homelessness to take shelter in. Those centres also have the proper tools and access to support services based on individual needs. “All of our emergency shelters are operating as much more than just emergency accommodations,” said Andrew Scavarelli, director of housing and homeless services. “We are providing three meals a day, we also have drop-in community spaces layered throughout all of our emergency shelters and these spaces will offer services such as primary care, employment services, social assistance, such as Ontario work staff.” These shelters are open year round but will change on a need-by-need basis.
