Gov. Malloy Activates Severe Cold Weather Protocol For Westport

FARIFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- The state’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol has been activated for Fairfield County and all of Connecticut in anticipation of temperatures in the teens and single digits for the rest of the week, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy activated the state's severe cold weather protocol on Wednesday for Connecticut.
Photo Credit: *File*

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy activated the state's severe cold weather protocol on Wednesday.
Photo Credit: *File*

Joe Jenkins

02/26/2014 4:00 p.m.

The protocol is effective beginning Wednesday, and will remain in effect until Saturday morning, March 1, when temperatures are expected to return to more seasonable levels.

While activated, the protocol directs the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Housing to coordinate with 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to ensure that the state’s most vulnerable population are protected from the severe cold weather.

“We must continue to protect the most vulnerable members of our state’s population during these severe cold weather outbreaks,” Malloy said in a statement. “I urge anyone in need of shelter to call 2-1-1 and encourage local communities to consider opening warming centers or other facilities to help people in need.”

The Mental Heatlh and Addiction Services Departmnent has teams who specialize in working with homeless people to locate those who are at risk, spread the word about the 2-1-1 system, and encourage everyone to take advantage of the safety of shelters.

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