Vienna fights against the heat wave: presented new protective measures!

Vienna fights against the heat wave: presented new protective measures!

In times when extremes and heat waves appear more and more often, the City of Vienna took proactive measures to protect its citizens. According to meinzirk.at , days with temperatures over 40 degrees will no longer be uncommon in the near future. In order to be prepared for this challenge as best as possible, the city has developed a comprehensive heat action plan.

This plan combines short -term protective measures with long -term urban planning strategies, whereby the focus is particularly on vulnerable groups. Older people, pregnant women, children and homeless people who are exposed to health risks during heat waves are particularly at risk. The measures include the referral in public space and the creation of new green areas that are supposed to make the urban habitat more pleasant.

effective information systems

In order to react to impending extreme heat in good time, a digital warning system is activated. The population can be provided with current information via various channels, such as the media and apps, but also by the innovative "Wienbot". In addition, mobile teams will be on the move to distribute water on site and offer advice.

The city has anchored a total of 29 measures in its heat action plan, about half of which are specifically aimed at the needs of vulnerable groups. Nursing homes, hospitals and day centers have made their own emergency plans and structural adjustments to ensure the best possible protection for their residents.

training and sensitization

For schools and kindergartens, adapted teaching forms and measures to green also apply in order to offer young people a healthier environment. Information offers for people with mental or chronic illnesses are also part of the plan to ensure that nobody is abandoned.

In addition, social services, nurses and doctors are prepared for an emergency, accompanied by an urban crisis team that coordinates all measures in an emergency. The public is regularly informed about the Vienna app, the Wienbot and the heat telephone hotline (01 4000 4001). The emergency number 144 is provided for medical emergencies, while the Viennese homeless help can be reached at 01 533 77 77 and offers air -conditioned retreats for homeless people.

A look over the borders

The topic of heat protection is not only important in Vienna. In Berlin, too, a campaign alliance for heat protection was recently launched in cooperation with several health institutions. There, concrete heat protection plans were drawn up in order to counteract the rising temperatures and the associated health risks for vulnerable groups. Between 2018 and 2020 there were around 1,400 heat note in the region, which illustrates the urgency of such measures. From Berlin reports climate change-gesundheit.de that in particular people with ancient diseases, pregnant and small children are at risk.

In order to live the adaptation to the climate crisis, such heat protection plans in the healthcare system must be made known and implemented. The exchange about this could provide valuable information for the design and improvement of the Viennese measures.

For further information on the heat protection plans in Germany, contact the Federal Environment Ministry , which provides comprehensive recommendations for action.