Suffolk Executive Levy, Islip Supervisor Nolan Provide "Cool-off Center" For Public

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, along with Islip Supervisor Phil Nolan, the county's Fire, Rescue and Emergency Service (FRES) department and the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team  teamed up to organize a "cool-off center" for residents who needed to escape the extremely high temperatures Suffolk County has recently been experiencing. 

According to Suffolk  officials, the  cooling center was open on July 6 and 7, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Brentwood Senior Center.  Officials also said that additional days for the center will be considered if the extreme weather continues throughout the summer

"The health and safety of our residents is of the utmost importance, and I was pleased to partner with Suffolk County to provide the cooling center as a respite from the brutal temperatures,"  Nolan said in a statement.

The center was staffed by Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) citizen volunteers from around the county and FRES personnel.  Residents who entered the center were greeted with air-conditioning, food and water.

"When severe summer heat moves in, it is important for residents be able to escape the intensity," Levy said. "By partnering with the Red Cross, Brentwood Library and the Town of Islip, we provided a place for residents to come inside to an air-conditioned location to hydrate themselves and to have a snack while warding off risks associated with summer heat."

For additional information on how to prevent heat-related illnesses, residents are advised to check the Greater NY Area American Red Cross Summer Heat Safety Guide.