Staying Safe and Prepared During This Cold Front

Dear Fellow Vermonters,

Today and this weekend are going to be extremely cold. The National Weather Service is warning wind chill could reach as low as 30-45 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

These temperatures could be dangerous, so please take a moment to read through the available resources and make preparations to stay safe and warm. 

The Vermont Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Management division has put out some important guidance – I have highlighted some of their key resources below and you can see their full list of tips and guidance here. The Vermont Department of Health Winter Weather Safety has also put together some guidance materials, in many translations, which you can find here: healthvermont.gov/winter-weather.

In addition, I am including below key information from my office on accessing fuel assistance programs and services, including in emergency situations.

It is good news that the state and federal government are here to help. Vermonters also know that help can also come in the form of friends and neighbors. Thank you to everyone who is checking on your neighbors to make sure they have the heat, food, and supplies they need to be safe in these dangerous temperatures.

Stay safe and warm,

Safety Guidance from VT Emergency Management

The Vermont Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Management division has put out some important guidance. You can find some of their key resources below and their full list of tips and guidance here.

• 2-1-1: For help finding shelter, heating assistance, or other resources, call 2-1-1. For emergency situations, always call 9-1-1.
  
  
• Shelter for people experiencing homelessness: The Vermont Agency of Human Services, community organizations and municipalities are working to expand daytime and overnight shelter options for people experiencing homelessness during the coldest hours this weekend. A list of shelters will be updated at: https://vem.vermont.gov/news/shelters.
  
  
• ‘Freeze patrols’: The Vermont State Police will also provide ‘freeze patrols’ during which troopers will patrol the state’s two interstate highways during the overnight hours, when troopers typically are off duty. The purpose of the patrol is to look for and assist stranded motorists.
  
  
• Best Practices: 
  • Be a good neighbor. Check with older Vermonters or others who may need assistance to ensure they have heat and are safe.
    
    
  • Limit outdoor activities during the coldest hours. Also, consider your pets and limit their time outdoors.
    
    
  • Ensure you have sufficient heating “fuel” (including wood). If you lose heat, use only safe alternate heating sources like a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater and take the necessary safety precautions. Test smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors and ensure heat sources are venting properly.
    
    
  • Keep blankets in your vehicle in the event you are stranded by a breakdown or minor accident and must wait for help. Ensure your vehicle has sufficient fuel and other fluids, good tire pressure, and the battery is in good condition.
    
    
  • Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, rather than a single layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens, and sturdy waterproof boots, protecting your extremities. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
    
    
  • Excessive exposure can lead to frostbite, which is damaging to body tissue that is frozen. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately. Slowly warm the affected areas as you await medical assistance.
    
    
  • Hypothermia can occur in extreme cases. The warning signs are uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If the person’s temperature drops below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical care. If medical assistance is not available, slowly warm up the person, body core first, wrapping them in a blanket or using your own body heat. Do not warm the extremities first, for this drives the cold blood towards the heart and can lead to heart failure. Do not give the person alcohol, coffee, tea, or any hot food or beverage. Warm liquids are best.
    
    
  • If you lose your heat, seal off unused rooms by stuffing towels in the cracks under the doors. At night, cover windows with extra blankets or sheets. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat.
    
    

Get Emergency Updates

Sign up for emergency updates: For weather, road, or emergency updates sent directly to your e-mail or cell phone, sign up for Vermont Alert at http://www.vtalert.gov. For additional updates, you can find below some recommended social media accounts to follow:

• VT Division of Emergency Management:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vermontemergencymanagement/
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/vemvt
    
    
• VT State Police:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VermontStatePolice/
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/VTStatePolice
    
    
• VT Division of Fire Safety:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VTFireMarshal
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/VTFireMarshal

• VT Agency of Transportation:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VTransontheroad/
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/AOTVermont

• VT Department of Health:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthVermont/
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/healthvermont

• National Weather Service Burlington:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSBurlington/
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWSBurlington

• National Weather Service Albany:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSAlbany/
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWSAlbany
    
    

Learn More About Available Fuel Assistance

Below you will find key details and information for accessing Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as well as other fuel assistance programs and services, including in emergency situations. LIHEAP receives applications year round. The deadline to receive FULL benefits for THIS heating season, has passed. However, if your application is received and approved between December 1 and February 28, you will receive pro-rated benefits for this heating season. See HERE to learn more and apply, for this season or get started on your application for next year.

Want to Apply for Fuel Assistance? Have Questions About the Process?

Looking for support in navigating and accessing fuel assistance? Reach out to your local Community Action Agency, more details below. And, as always, please also do not hesitate to reach out to my office with questions. You can reach my office at 1-800-339-9834 or by clicking here.

Vermont’s Local Community Action Agencies

• Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA)
  • Serving: Orleans, Essex, and Caledonia Counties.
  • Contact: https://vermontcap.org/find-help/northeast-kingdom-community-action/
    
    
• Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity
  • Serving: Residents of Addison (excluding the towns of Granville and Hancock), Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties.
  • Contact: https://vermontcap.org/find-help/champlain-valley-office-of-economic-opportunity/
    
    
• Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA)
  • Serving: Residents of Windham and Windsor Counties, except for Barnard, Bethel, Rochester, Royalton, Sharon and Stockbridge in Windsor County.
  • Contact: https://vermontcap.org/find-help/southeastern-vermont-community-action/
    
    
• Capstone Community Action
  • Serving: All towns of Washington, Orange and Lamoille Counties; Granville and Hancock in Addison County; Pittsfield in Rutland County; Barnard, Bethel, Rochester, Royalton, Sharon and Stockbridge in Windsor County.
  • Contact: https://vermontcap.org/find-help/capstone-community-action/
    
    
• BROC Community Action
  • Serving: Rutland and Bennington Counties.
  • Contact: https://vermontcap.org/find-help/broc-community-action/