Community leaders in Orlando have assembled a task force to help residents stay safe during Central Florida’s extreme temperatures. The group is meeting Thursday to distribute heat stress first aid kits and information about heat exposure.
Organizer Lawanna Gelzer created the Extreme Heat Task Force to provide resources and knowledge to combat the temperature increases in Central Florida.
She’s urging leaders in Central Florida to provide more resources to the community and worries that residents aren’t prepared for the dangers of heat.
Gelzer said the primary function of the Extreme Heat Task Force is to start the conversation of temperatures that could be dangerous to one's health.
“This is not a one-time event," she said. "This will be a part of our life. We need to make sure just like those up north prepare for the cold, we need to start preparing for how we will deal with the heat — and be safe."
Beating the heat
According to the CDC, more than 600 people have died in the U.S. every year due to extreme heat. Those that are most at risk from heat illnesses or death are children, older adults and people with chronic diseases or mental illnesses. In the U.S, more than 2,000 high temperature records have been broken in the past 30 days, according to federal data.
Gelzer created the Heat Stress First Aid Kits that include a mini fan, cold packs, electrolyte tablets and drink mixes, waterproof tape, disposable thermometers and an emergency blanket in each kit.
They be available at the meeting, and also at the Ms. Betty Resilience Hub Learning Center, which was started when Gelzer's mother, Betty, donated property to support the community. Gelzer said she was a pillar of the community for decades.
The hub serves as a root for the community, and Gelzer wants to make sure her community thrives. She says they cannot wait for heat and Central Floridians need to be proactive.
"We're collecting information mapping our communities." she said. "We're looking to find out where we can have cooling stations. What is going on the ground who's really in need, so we can go and try to fill in the gaps. We're not the only organization, but we're out doing what needs to be done in our community."
The Extreme Heat Task force will meet this evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Callahan Neighborhood Center 101 N. Parramore Ave. Orlando, Florida 32801. The hub will distribute the Heat Stress First Aid Kits and information about heat exposure. Gelzer said that the meeting Thursday is a continuing conversation on extreme heat.
