The Spectrum office will be closed Monday, September 6 for the Labour Day holiday
Heat Warning for B.C., Please Take Precautions
Good afternoon;
British Columbians are being asked to take precautions again this week, as Environment Canada has issued another heat warning for most of the province.
The extreme heat is predicted to last from Wednesday, August 11th to Saturday, August 14th, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees.
“Extreme heat is dangerous and can have devastating and deadly consequences,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Health authorities and BC Emergency Health Services are preparing to assist people in need during the heat wave. British Columbians must also make any necessary preparations ahead of time and take steps to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones.”
HealthLink BC has these tips for keeping cool and healthy:
- Drink plenty of fluids. Drink extra water even before you feel thirsty and if you are active on a hot day. Ask your health-care provider about how much water you should drink on hot days if you are on water pills or limiting your fluid intake.
- Keep cool. Stay indoors in air-conditioned buildings or take a cool bath or shower. At temperatures above 30 C, fans alone may not be able to prevent heat-related illness. Sunscreen will protect against the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, but not from the heat.
- Plan activity before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., when the sun’s UV radiation is the weakest.
- Avoid tiring work or exercise in hot, humid environments. If you must work or exercise, drink two to four glasses of non-alcoholic fluids each hour. Rest breaks are important and should be taken in the shade.
- Avoid sunburn: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin and an SPF 30 lip balm, and reapply often.
- Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide brimmed hat, or use an umbrella for shade.
- Never leave children alone in a parked car. Temperatures can rise to 52 C within 20 minutes inside a vehicle when the outside temperature is 34 C. Leaving the car windows slightly open will not keep the inside of the vehicle at a safe temperature.
- Regularly check older adults, children and others for signs of heat-related illness, and make sure they are keeping cool and drinking plenty of fluids. Check on those who are unable to leave their homes and people with emotional or mental-health challenges whose judgment may be impaired.
- Heat also affects pets. Never leave a pet in a parked car. Limit pets’ exercise, and be sure to provide them with plenty of water and shade.
Please let us know if you need any assistance.
Environment Canada Alert here:
https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?bc42
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As the heat warning remains in place for Vancouver with temperatures expected to peak in the mid-30s later this week, the city is activating its cooling centres once again this year. The City of Vancouver is moving to Level 1 of its heat response plan; cooling centres are opening, people in public …
www.vancouverisawesome.com
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COVID-19 Updates – August 3, 2021 – More Vaccination Options
Walk-In Clinics – No Appointment Necessary!
On Wednesday, August 4, all clinics are offering walk-in doses.
You don’t need to register online or phone before you arrive.
Dose 1 eligibility: All people aged 12+
Dose 2 eligibility: All people vaccinated before June 16
Bring photo ID to the clinic. You’ll get either Pfizer or Moderna.
If you’re getting dose 2, you’re encouraged to also bring your immunization record card.
The VaxForBC website has a list of all the locations in the Lower Mainland and their hours of operation:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/vaxforbc .
A Graphic on The effectiveness of vaccines:
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Check this out – some ideas for the rest of the summer and you get to use your compass card for more than just tap in and tapping out
Select vendors are offering discounts and perks when you show your Compass Card or valid proof of same-day transit use.
Offers are only available for same-day walk-up admission and not available online.
- Rhoedde House Museum: Receive 2-for-1 admission .
- Museum of Anthropology: Receive 25% off museum admission.
- Grouse Mountain: $5 off adult mountain admission.
- Vancouver Whale Watch: Receive a free tour map.
- Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden: Receive 2-for-1 admission and 20% off at the gift shop.
- Contemporary Art Gallery: 10% off at the bookshop.
- Vancouver Art Gallery: 25% off gallery admission.
- Museum of Vancouver: Receive 2-for-1 admission.
- Vancouver Mysteries: Receive a code for 20% off your next visit.
- Bill Reid Gallery: Receive 2-for-1 admission.
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Reconnect with Metro Vancouver. We’ve partnered with Destination Vancouver to help you rediscover our region’s exceptional attractions and sightseeing activities.
www.translink.ca
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Trains will be single-tracking over the bridge from July 31 to Aug. 7 and again from Aug. 14 to Aug. 21.
The single-tracking will be from Scott Road Station to Columbia Station platform one during the week and from Scott Road to New Westminster Station platform two during the second week.
“To keep customers moving as quickly as possible between stations, trains will cross two at a time in each direction, providing 15-minute service during peak periods,” TransLink said. “At all other times, one train will cross in each direction, providing 12-minute service.”
Additional SkyTrain staff will be present at affected stations to help customers navigate the changes, TransLink said.
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RISE Community Groups and Workshops
For info or to register:
- Email info@cnh.bc.ca
- Call Collingwood Neighbourhood House at 604-435-0323
- Or ask a RISE Staff member
Spots are limited. Registration required.
Please click these links below for further details:
RISE Spring 2021 Workshops Info
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It is a great time to review the contents of emergency medical and earthquake kits in your home.
Are your water and food rations currently dated? Other items like glow sticks and batteries have expiry dates. It’s a good time to make sure everything is up to date.
Did you use some of the medical supplies during the year? Now is a great time to order replacement items. Please note that WCB First Aid Kits are required in all of the homes that are staffed.
Have there been changes in the number of people residing in your home? Do you need more or less supplies?
Have any of the people you live with changed their diets over the past year? Do you need to change the dietary foods in their earthquake kits?
If you need help with restocking your emergency medical and earthquake supplies please feel free to contact Judy Smith at judy@spectrumsociety.org for assistance.
It is a good time to review all safety procedures in the home; making sure that exit routes are clear of debris, including accessing risk factors (for example, moving items on shelves that could fall and moving heavy items to bottom shelves instead of top shelves). Are all staff are familiar with where emergency care items are stored? Please review the following information from our policy manual with the staff and individuals you support. Include staff to join on skype or zoom if you cannot meet in person so everyone is familiar with this process.
(https://sscl.sharevision.ca/public/PolicyDirectory/General%20Policies/34.0.EmergencyPreparedness.pdf)
When you have completed your Earthquake Drill please record this information on Sharevision.
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How to Register for First Aid:
We recommend obtaining and/or renewing your First Aid through St. John’s Ambulance with the Emergency First Aid Community Care course. If there is another course offered by a different provider, please contact Human Resources prior to enrolling to determine if it is equivalent and meets the basic requirements.
To obtain/renew through St John’s Ambulance, please call (604) 321-7242
- They above number is their main line, but they have a number of locations across the lower mainland if you would like to call a location directly: http://www.sja.ca/English/About-Us/Pages/Locations.aspx
- Register yourself for Emergency First Aid Community Care.
If an employee does not have a valid first aid certificate upon hire, the fee to obtain or renew certification is the responsibility of the employee. Future renewal fees for active employees are covered by Spectrum.
- If you are renewing your first aid, ask St. John Ambulance to invoice Spectrum Society
- Let them know Spectrum Society will be paying for your course fee.
*St. John Ambulance may request authorization from Spectrum. Email hr@spectrumsociety.org with the date/location you want to complete the course and we will call them to confirm your registration.
First Aid is a requirement for employment as indicated in ‘Policy 4: Requirements for Employment. Below is a link to Spectrum’s First Aid policy:
For employees renewing their first aid, please ensure St. John’s Ambulance (SJA) includes the CPR pocket mask with your first aid registration. If the CPR pocket mask is not included with your registration fee, SJA requires attendees pay for this on the day of course completion; you can save your receipt and submit it to Human Resources for reimbursement.
Please email your certificate of course completion to hr@spectrumsociety.org to have your file updated.
Please let Judy know if you have any questions or issues registering, by emailing judy@spectrumsociety.org