Until August 31, level 1 “seasonal watch” of the heat wave plan is activated. The latter can change as a function of time and heat. Moreover, 24 departments have already triggered level 2.
With 32 ° expected this afternoon in Perpignan and 29 ° in Paris, the heat seems to be settling in France! Like every year, the heat wave plan has been activated. Set up since the summer of 2004 following the heat wave of 2003, its main objective is to define preventive actions and manage the crisis in order to reduce health risks. But, for the moment, do not panic, we are only at level 1 or 2 of the alert plan.
Level 1
Said to be “seasonal standby”, it corresponds to a green color on the weather alert map. This level is activated automatically from June 1 to August 31 of each year. In case of early or late heat, seasonal watch can be activated before June 1 or extended after August 31.
In practice, it involves checking the operational systems, setting up meteorological and health surveillance, and opening the national telephone platform: 0 800 06 66 66. This is the current situation on a good part of France.
Level 2
But, since the beginning of the week, some departments French (24), most in the south-west and south-east, have already gone to level 2 of the heat wave plan known as “heat warning”. It is a reinforced monitoring phase allowing the various departments to prepare for a rise in load with a view to a possible move to the next level and to strengthen local and targeted communication actions (in particular the weekend eve and holiday).
Level 3
In fact, it is on the basis of Météo-France’s meteorological vigilance map (orange vigilance) that the departmental prefects can trigger level 3 – heat wave alert. It is activated if the average temperature rises during the day to 34 ° C and does not drop below 20 ° C at night, for 3 consecutive days. Therefore, the prefect takes all appropriate measures. At this level, prevention and management actions are put in place by public services and territorial actors in a manner adapted to the intensity and duration of the phenomenon: communication actions aimed at recalling the individual preventive actions to be implemented. work (hydration, shelter from heat, etc.), triggering of “blue plans” in establishments welcoming the elderly or disabled, mobilization of the permanent ambulatory care, Home Nursing Services (SSIAD) , and Home Assistance and Support Services (SAAD), activation by town halls of municipal registers with assistance to isolated elderly and disabled people registered in the registers, measures for homeless people, etc.
Level 4
Finally, the maximum mobilization level corresponds to red meteorological vigilance. This level corresponds to a heat wave proven to be exceptional, very intense and lasting, with the appearance of collateral effects in various sectors (drought, drinking water supply, saturation of hospitals or funeral directors, blackout, forest fires, need to ‘organization of working time or stopping certain activities, etc.). This situation requires the implementation of exceptional measures. As the crisis becomes intersectoral, it requires maximum mobilization and coordination of the State’s response with the activation of the Interministerial Crisis Unit (CIC) which brings together all the ministries concerned.
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