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<br /> educational training focusing on the risks of extreme heat for outdoor
<br /> workers and how they can protect themselves from extreme heat. ,
<br /> The County will support employers with outdoor workers by:
<br /> • Encouraging work schedules that begin earlier in the day
<br /> • Promoting existing outdoor worker protection policies and
<br /> procedures
<br /> • Partnering with community organizations to host group meetings
<br /> with industry leaders
<br /> These meetings will facilitate discussion on:
<br /> • How employers are protecting outdoor workers \
<br /> • Barriers employers face These materials will be distributed at public centers(e.g.,libraries),
<br /> • Additional tools or information that would be helpful places frequented by members of the public(e.g.,coffee shops,
<br /> laundromats,barber shops,gas stations and places of worship)and
<br /> Community Partners: home improvement stores.Home weatherization efforts,such as
<br /> Community Based Organizations and partners including Carolina Farm sealing air gaps around doors and windows,and energy efficiency
<br /> Stewardship Association,local Farmer's Markets,Cooperative Extension, strategies,such as setting smart thermostats,can help residents keep
<br /> Master Gardeners,OC Ag Summit,Community Gardens,local farms,OC their homes cooler and reduce energy usage and cooling costs.
<br /> Communicators Group,Refugee Support Center,Transplanting Traditions The Heat Cohort will coordinate with the State Energy Office's(SEO)
<br /> Action 3: Unhoused Education Weatherization Assistance Program(WAP)provider in Orange County,
<br /> Central Pines Regional Council,to promote home cooling strategies
<br /> Promote heat awareness for Orange County's unhoused and tie into other local and regional campaigns,such as Electrify the
<br /> population. Triangle,DSS box fan distribution,and Energy Savers NC.
<br /> Unhoused people are at an extreme risk for all weather-related health In addition,information will be provided to residents throughout
<br /> conditions,as they do not have consistent access to climate-controlled the heat season about programs for home weatherization or energy
<br /> spaces.Heat is no different in this respect,making the unhoused assistance,including:
<br /> population a key population to prepare and protect from extreme heat. . Low Income Energy Assistance Program WEAP),a Federal program
<br /> Educational materials will be distributed to Orange County's that provides a one-time vendor payment that typically helps
<br /> unhoused population through the Orange County Partnership to End eligible households pay their heating bills,but can also be used for
<br /> Homelessness.These materials will focus on educating the unhoused on cooling
<br /> the resources they have available to them,such as cooling centers and • Weatherization Assistance Program,a program,funded by the US
<br /> day shelters.Additionally,educational materials on safe outdoor living Department of Energy and administered by the NC Department of
<br /> and harm reduction will be distributed. Environmental Quality,that helps low-income North Carolinians save
<br /> Community Partners: energy and reduce their utility bills
<br /> Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness,OC Housing,Police . Energy Saver North Carolina programs from the North Carolina State
<br /> Departments,and Community Based Organizations like Pee Wee Energy Office,where qualified energy-efficient home improvement
<br /> Homes,IFC,and Club Nova
<br /> may be eligible for apoint-of-sale rebate
<br /> Action 4: Home Cooling Education This information will increase residents'preparedness for extreme heat
<br /> and access to existing home-cooling resources.
<br /> Promote home weatherization and energy efficiency
<br /> strategies. Community Partners:
<br /> NC Dept.Of Environmental Quality State Energy Office,Central Pines
<br /> The Heat Cohort and Task Force partners will develop educational Regional Council,Duke Energy,Piedmont Electric,EBERP,DSS,Energy
<br /> materials,including brochures and signage,about home cooling Savers NC
<br /> strategies beyond air conditioning,such as closing blinds or curtains
<br /> and avoiding turning on ovens during the hottest times of the day.
<br /> Materials promoting home cooling strategies will be created prior to the
<br /> beginning of the heat season and distributed to local organizations and
<br /> businesses in April and May.
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