Top FEMA Officials Available for Interviews to Discuss Extreme Heat Safety Tips, Urge Residents to Download FEMA Smartphone App Designed to Help Families Before, During, and After Disasters

Washington – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging residents across the nation to take steps now to prepare their families and communities for extreme heat, by reviewing important safety information and downloading the FEMA smartphone app. 

The National Weather Service announced today that “dangerously hot and humid conditions are expected this week across a large portion of the nation.” Additionally, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center’s latest outlook notes that most of the continental United States is facing elevated chances of well-above-average summer temperatures. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, heat kills more people than hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, earthquakes and floods.

To help Americans stay safe during extreme heat, FEMA urges residents to consider taking the following actions in affected areas:   

• Postpone outdoor games and activities and limit exposure to the sun.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine; limit alcoholic beverage intake.
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing.
• Spend the warmest part of the day in temperature-controlled buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, or community facilities.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.

FEMA also urges residents to download and use the free FEMA app, which provides valuable safety tips to help families prepare for and recover from more than 20 natural and man-made hazards. The FEMA app enables users to receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations across the nation, making it easy to follow severe weather that may be threatening family and friends.  The app also provides family communication plans, customizable checklist of emergency supplies, and maps of open shelters and disaster recovery centers. The app is available on the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

What:  Interview opportunity with FEMA officials to share information on how to stay safe during extreme heat and FEMA’s updated Smartphone App

Who:  FEMA Director of External Affairs Josh Batkin

          FEMA Director of Public Affairs Rafael Lemaitre  

          FEMA Director of Individual and Community Preparedness Helen Lowman

When:  Upon request

RSVP:  To schedule a media interview contact the FEMA News Desk at 202-646-3272 or FEMA-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov. 

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.

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