| Answer | | The Mayor and the Philaddelphia Department of Public Health started Breath Philly, a network of 76 ground-level air quality sensors to provide real-time air quality data. Residents can view data from the sensor nearest to their location or from any sensor across the city on the Breathe Philly dashboard, which can be found at www.phila.gov/breathephilly. |
What do I need to know about Code Red, Code Orange, Code Grey, and Code Blue Alerts?
A Code Blue is issued during extremely bitter cold conditions. A Code Red is issued during extremely hot and dangerous weather conditions.
The City implements extraordinary measures to preserve the lives of chronically homeless individuals.
Code Blue - When there’s precipitation, and the temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, or when it feels 20 degrees or lower due to Wind Chill
Enhanced Code Blue - When A Code Blue goes for more than three nights and/or when the city has also issued a Snow Emergency
Code Grey - High Winds or Heavy Rains above 32 degrees
Code Orange - Unhealthy Ozone levels and air pollutants
Code Red - Excessive Heat https://www.phila.gov/guides/extreme-heat-guide/To see the current Code Levels in Philadelphia at any time, go to https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/environmental-health-hazards/air-quality/.
You Should Know:
A Code Blue emergency triggers the following:
- 24-hour outreach coverage and additional outreach teams.
- Warming Centers will open 24/7 until the end of the event. Warming centers accept walk-ins.
- Homeless residents are permitted to stay inside emergency housing throughout the day.
- All available beds are open to homeless residents throughout the emergency.
- Use of outreach-designated resources for the homeless, including Somerset and Our Brother’s Place.
- Please contact (215) 232-1984 for the Outreach Hotline for a homeless person in need of help or a ride to a Warming Center.
- OEM publishes and maintains an interactive warming center map at phila.gov/GetWarm during a Code Blue, listing updated locations and hours of operations.
An Enhanced Code Blue emergency triggers all Code Blue conditions plus the following:
- OHS, in coordination with the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and nonprofit provider partners, opens warming centers at Philadelphia Parks and Recreation facilities, Philadelphia Free Library locations, and additional sites in every City Council district. This expanded response is part of the Warming Center Initiative.
- During an Enhanced Code Blue, OHS, the Department of Behavioral and Health and DisAbility Services (DBHIDS), the Department of Public Health, the Office of Public Safety, the Philadelphia Fire Department, the Philadelphia Police Department, and other City partners deploy expanded outreach teams across the city.
- Overnight warming centers will also provide water and snacks or meals.
During a Code Red, residents should:
- Strongly consider canceling outdoor events and gatherings
- Avoid going outdoors as much as possible
- Avoid excessive activities outdoors, such as jogging or exercising
- If you have to go outdoors, wear a high-quality mask, like an N-95 or KN-95 mask
- Avoid areas of high congestion and where air pollution may be high, like main streets or highways, areas with low air circulation
- Close all windows and doors to minimize air pollution in your home
- Recirculate the air in your home with fans to avoid bringing more air pollution into your home
- Pay attention to their bodies; if they are having trouble breathing, feeling nauseous, or dizzy, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Residents can access the Breathe Philly dashboard at www.phila.gov/breathephilly to:
- View air quality near their home, school, or workplace.
- Sign up for alerts when conditions change.
- Review health guidance during poor air quality days.
Further Information:
For the latest weather outlook, impacts, and City preparedness efforts, visit OEM’s recent blog.
During all Code Blue or Code Red declarations, OHS activates an alert across the City of Philadelphia website and shares updates through its Instagram and X social media accounts.For further information, go to https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/environmental-health-hazards/air-quality/.
For information on the Health Department's free resource hubs where residents can get free masks and other health assistance, use https://www.phila.gov/2023-04-19-resource-hubs-offer-drop-in-assistance-and-free-services-in-five-philadelphia-neighborhoods/.
Also, see How do I report a dog left outside in hot or cold temperatures (extreme weather)?
Also, see Is there a warming station in Philadelphia? |
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