Neck guard sales jump after Sask. hockey player slashed by skate
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More adult players are now investing in the protective equipment.
The freezing temperatures are here and are creating a challenge for the most vulnerable.
That’s why the City of Saskatoon has activated its Extreme Cold Weather Emergency Response to its second level as temperatures are forecasted at -30 C for more than two days.
Pamela Goulden-McLeod, the city’s director of emergency management, says officials know people need to find a warm space when the temperature drops.
“We do know that there has been an increase in the number of people who are experiencing homelessness in Saskatoon, (with) a substantial increase in the last year. And so that’s really impacted the level of services required and the amount of services required,” Goulden-McLeod said.
There are 10 warm-up locations through community partners around the city, along with nine library branch locations.
The Saskatoon Extreme Cold Weather Emergency Response has been activated at a Level II due to the @ECCCWeatherSK forecast being -30C or colder for 2 days or more. Please help us share the latest warm-up locations poster across #yxe!
Printable poster: https://t.co/aZWuZZGXBR pic.twitter.com/TgyiGD6ZPr
— Saskatoon Emergency Management (EMO) (@SaskatoonEMO) December 2, 2022
Saskatoon Transit will also be participating in the Safe Bus Program, which allows people in need to use a city bus for immediate shelter or contact emergency services.
Anyone can safely flag down a bus or go to any parked bus in the city.
The warm-up locations do have set hours, but staff and organizations will be out looking for people at night to make sure people are not left in the cold.
“Some of the warming locations are adjusting their hours to provide more warming location times,” Goulden-McLeod said.
“We’ll be working overnight, so they’ll have outreach workers overnight looking for individuals who might be at risk and Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatoon Fire do that as well.”
Environment Canada’s forecast on Saturday has an overnight wind chill value near -40 C and a risk of frostbite throughout the weekend.