Heatwave Plan 2023: How to prepare?

According to the report published by the Ministry, 2022 was the year with the earliest heat waves and the most heat records.

This alarming finding is linked to the global warming we are currently experiencing. Unsurprisingly, heatwaves are set to become more frequent and severe in the years to come. What's more, these heatwaves will affect many more départements.

Supporting evidence:

• The frequency of heat waves is set to double by 2050;
• 8 of the 10 hottest years on record occurred after 2010;
• In 2022, 1,500 local heat records were broken;
• In 2022, 93 départements had to adopt water restrictions, and 75 départements were on crisis alert.

Source : Plan Chaleur press kit from the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion.

According to Météo France, "A heat wave is defined as an episode in which temperatures are significantly higher than seasonal norms for several consecutive days."

It differs from heat peaks, which are short episodes lasting 24 to 48 hours.

A heatwave occurs when temperatures are above normal, day and night, for at least 3 days.

Meteorologists have precise measuring tools and statistical criteria at their disposal to determine whether or not a heatwave episode is imminent. Today, thanks to precise, cutting-edge tools, we can forecast a heat wave or scorching episode a week in advance. This gives the authorities plenty of time to warn the population to take precautions!

Source: Météo France / Plan Chaleur press kit from the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion

• Register vulnerable people on communal registers so that they can be identified and helped quickly in case of need.

With their permission, you can contact the relevant town hall to find out more about registration on the communal register.

• Protect your home from the heat before the temperature rises.

As they say, prevention is better than cure! Once the heat has set in, you can use the air conditioning or close the shutters to avoid it. The best solution is to install preventive solutions before the heatwave sets in, such as anti-heat film on your windows ;)

• Remember to drink water regularly, and make sure your loved ones do the same.

With such hot weather, dehydration can quickly set in, and can quickly wreak havoc on even the most fragile individuals (such as children or our senior citizens). So don't skimp on glasses of water!

This solution will allow you tosave several degrees in your interior, while saving energy and money because you'll be using your air-conditioning much less!

• Raising public awareness of the problem

The aim is to inform the public about the work that can be carried out and how to behave in their homes.

• Communicating cool islands and public fountains in municipalities

Prefectures will be responsible for identifying sites that have been cooled as a result of the development of heat islands in urban areas.

• Disseminating prevention messages in transport

When travelers enter a heat-alert zone, they will be warned of the risks involved, and what to do in public places.

• First assessment of "Plus fraîche ma ville

The French Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe) is renewing its "Cooler my city" program, which offers a digital decision-making tool for towns and cities wishing to implement cooling solutions tailored to their territory.

• SMS messages sent by telephone operators to warn of exceptional situations

The FR-Alert system, which sends text messages to the French in exceptional situations, will now include heatwave risks to warn residents.

• Reinforcing surveillance and response resources

During heatwaves and droughts, RTE and Enedis will be stepping up their surveillance and intervention resources to avoid power cuts.

Source: Plan Chaleur press kit from the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion.

• Mobilizing young people for universal national service

Young people on universal national service will be made available to help vulnerable people register with local authorities. They will also help with public awareness campaigns.

• Raise awareness among guardians of the need to register vulnerable persons on communal registers

Guardianship judges and legal representatives should contact curators and guardians to raise awareness of the need to protect dependants.

• Implement an annual inspection of school building parts and comfort equipment

Each year, the local education authorities will be mandated to carry out checks on schools to ensure that they are properly protected against heat waves. A guide will also be made available, explaining how to behave, what maintenance work needs to be carried out, and how to create cool areas.

• Introduce an annual inspection of examination rooms

Establishments hosting examinations will have to carry out an annual check of rooms and cooled premises to avoid exams being postponed due to hot weather.

Source: Plan Chaleur press kit from the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion.

• Create a guide for companies on work that can be carried out in offices

An alert will be sent to businesses to warn them of heat waves. A guide will be created to explain what can be done to keep cool, and how to behave.

• Stepping up labor inspection controls

The Labour Inspectorate will be stepping up checks to verify installations and advise companies on methods for keeping workspaces fresh.

• Restricting the transport of live animals

During heatwaves, road transport of live terrestrial vertebrate animals for economic reasons will be prohibited from 1pm to 6pm.

Source : Plan Chaleur press kit from the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion.

• List sporting and cultural events in all départements

From mid-June, a census will be carried out in each département to help organize cultural and sporting events. The aim of this measure is to avoid cancellations and postponements as far as possible, and to find alternative ways of coping with heat waves.

• Raising awareness among event organizers in the event of a heat wave

In the event of a heat wave, prefects will call on event organizers to adapt their organization to weather conditions. If an event involves a high risk, it may be cancelled or postponed by decision of the prefect.