The Cambria-Somerset Preparedness and Resiliency Partnership is seeking organizations interested in opening their doors as a warming shelter for “Operation Warm Welcome,” a collaboration between the Center for Population Health, the United Way of the Southern Alleghenies and the Cambria and Somerset counties’ emergency services departments.

“When temperatures plunge, every minute without a warm place to go puts lives at risk,” Somerset County Emergency Management Agency Director Joel Landis said. “We’re calling on community partners to step forward and help us create a safety net for our most vulnerable neighbors.”

Warming shelters’ paramount purpose is to prevent death and injury from exposure to the winter elements, Landis said, adding organizations can save lives by offering a warm room and a caring presence during the harshest winter nights.

When people think of the word “shelter,” many think of a homeless shelter, Landis said, noting warming shelters aren’t just for the region’s homeless population.

If people lose electricity for hours and can’t run their heating appliances when temperatures are below zero, they’ll need a place to go to stay warm, Landis said.

“We don’t want to discount those scenarios,” he said.

Warming shelter locations are needed throughout Cambria and Somerset counties from now through March, Center for Population Health Executive Director Jeannine McMillan said, adding the partnership will provide guidance on shelter setup, safety protocols and coordination support.

It will also provide supplies like blankets, cots and hygiene kits, McMillan said.

“We are grateful to partner local health and human service organizations on this extremely important work in order to keep our residents healthy and safe,” McMillan said. “We invite any agencies interested in joining or learning more about the preparedness and resiliency partnership to reach out.”

Organizations interested in becoming a warming shelter have been asked to email info@centerforpophealth.org or call McMillan at 814-535-5156 ext. 4.

Cold weather advisories

When cold temperatures reach extreme levels, it’s important for people without heat to seek refuge at warming shelters, said Tom Davis, executive director of the Cambria County Department of Emergency Services.

Should the National Weather Service enact a cold weather advisory, an extreme cold watch or an extreme cold warning, warming shelters throughout the region will be activated, and people will be able to call the United Way of Pennsylvania’s 211 number to find the closest location to them, Davis said.

Currently, the available warming shelter locations include every senior activity center in Cambria County during their regular hours of operation, Davis said, noting select fire departments and ambulance associations will be available as shelters

24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Davis said Hope Fire Company and Veterans Memorial Ambulance Association, both in Northern Cambria; Dunlo Volunteer Fire Company and the St. Michael Fire Department, both in Adams Township; and the Ebensburg Area Ambulance Association have registered as warming shelters so far.

“It’s important that all of these locations have been added so that if someone is in need of a warming shelter, all they have to do is call 211 and they will let them know the closest location for them to go,” Davis said, adding county officials will be notified by 211 operators when a shelter needs to be opened during a cold weather warning or alert.

According to the National Weather Service, an extreme cold warning is issued when extremely dangerous cold conditions or wind chill values are expected or occurring. People in an area with an extreme cold warning should avoid going outside.

“If you have to go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin and make sure at least one other person knows your whereabouts. Update them when you arrive safely at your destination,” the National Weather Service’s website states.

An extreme cold watch is issued when extremely dangerous cold conditions or wind chill values are possible but the occurrence, location and/or timing is still uncertain, the website states, advising people to have at least a half tank of gas in their vehicles and to update their winter survival kits.

A cold weather advisory is issued for dangerously cold conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria, according to the National Weather Service.

In those instances, “Be sure you and your loved ones dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when venturing outdoors,” the website states.