Lack of Rochester cooling centers has city officials on the hot seat

Some residents are feeling frustrated with city's blase attitude during a heat emergency. City Manager Blaine Cox, left, and Mayor Paul Callaghan

Forecasters are calling for heat indexes of over 100 degrees today and Sunday, but the city has no plans to open any cooling centers for those who have no air conditioning, Rochester's city manager told The Rochester Voice on Friday afternoon.
"We do not have any cooling centers set up for this weekend," City Manager Blaine Cox wrote in an email.
Earlier on Friday morning, Mayor Paul Callaghan was sent an email apprising him of the lack of any cooling centers in the city.
A little after noon he wrote back, "I spoke with Blaine. He'll take care of it."
Cox in his email said that the city had a long practice of allowing the public to use City Hall and the Rochester Public Library as cooling stations during severe heat, but only during business hours.

Meanwhile, Dover's three fire stations are available 24 hours a day as cooling centers this weekend. The Liberty North End Fire Station is located at 262 Sixth St., the Central Fire Station is located at 9-11 Broadway. And the South End Fire Station is located at 25 Durham Road.

Callaghan reached out to The Voice today to advise city residents that Rochester's fire stations are unable to serve as cooling centers because they "are not configured" like Dover's.

Also during the two hottest days of the current heat wave, the city will be down to just one pool, Hanson Pines, which will be open from noon-6 p.m. That may be a good thing, actually, as at least one health advisory from Accuweather urges folks stay out of the sun due to "very high (9)" UV levels.
Newly installed Rochester Fire Chief Dennis Dube, who also serves as Rochester's Emergency Operation Center chief, did not return a phone call on Friday asking for comment.
The decision irked some on The Rochester Voice Facebook page.
"Why would they? They could care less about the homeless," wrote Denise Wilcox.
"Why does this not surprise me lol," added Trudi Cocarus. "Might cost them money and they have money going to other wasted things."
Adam Lamontagne had a different slant.
"Oh lord whatever did people do before "cooling centers"? Clearly people must have been dying in massive numbers back in the day....."

To mitigate you risk of heat illness
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.