Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services is continuing to monitor weather conditions before deciding whether to extend operations at the city’s cooling centers beyond their currently scheduled closing date.
John Worthen, public information officer for Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services, said no decision has been made, but officials are reviewing weather forecasts through the weekend and into next week.
If high temperatures and humidity continue, the city may keep the cooling centers open longer.
Worthen said the centers have been used by residents during the recent stretch of dangerous heat, particularly older adults and people without air conditioning.
In addition to providing relief from the heat, the cooling centers also offer basic wellness checks. Firefighters are trained emergency medical technicians who can check visitors’ blood pressure, heart rate, pulse and other vital signs, giving residents an opportunity to monitor their health without scheduling a doctor’s appointment.
Visitors also have the chance to see the inside of a fire station and learn more about the department and its equipment while cooling off.
Worthen noted that the station at 2208 Ridgway Road is currently closed for remodeling and is not serving as a cooling center.
Residents can instead visit one of the department’s six remaining locations:
200 E. Eighth Ave., 2120 W. Pullen St., 601 W. 32nd St., 3609 Market St., 3700 Miramar and 1805 N. Moreland St.
At the 200 E. Eighth Ave. location, visitors should note that the cooling center is accessed through the fire station entrance at the rear of the building at the Joe Thomas Public Safety entrance, not through the Detective Kevin Collins Conference Room entrance at the front of the building.
As temperatures remain high, Worthen encouraged residents to take precautions against heat-related illness.
Anyone who begins feeling overheated should move to a cool location, place a cold cloth on the face and neck, drink water or electrolyte-replacement beverages, and avoid alcohol, which can contribute to dehydration.
Older adults, people living alone, infants and young children are especially vulnerable to extreme heat, according to Worthen.
Heat-related illnesses can develop quickly and place significant stress on the heart, kidneys and liver, making it important to cool down before symptoms become severe.
Worthen also highlighted another ongoing department program, P.A.Y. Camp, which has returned this year for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The camp, which stands for Police and Youth, has about 60 to 70 participants and focuses on citizenship, life skills and educational experiences through a variety of activities and field trips.
Campers visited the local animal shelter this week ahead of a trip to the Memphis Zoo, and the program will conclude next week with a graduation ceremony at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
