The BC Coroners Service is calling for greater support for people at risk during extreme heat emergencies.
A report released Tuesday morning also highlighted a lag between the issuing of heat alerts by Environment Canada and the public response.
The report found that 619 of the more than 800 deaths reported during the heat dome between June 25 to July 1 of last year – when temperatures surpassed 40 C – were heat-related, with two-thirds of the victims over the age of 70.
Seventeen of the people who died as a result of the heat dome were in Kamloops.
Fifty-six per cent of people who died lived across B.C. alone, while 98 per cent of all heat-related deaths happened indoors without adequate cooling systems like air conditioners or fans.
The Coroners say heat-related deaths were higher among people on specific chronic disease registries, including schizophrenia, substance-use disorder, epilepsy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, asthma, mood and anxiety disorders, and diabetes.
Most of the victims also lived in “socially or materially deprived neighbourhoods” when compared with the general population.
“I am very grateful to each of the panel members for their insights, collaboration and commitment to the health and safety of the people of B.C..” Chief Coroner, Lisa Lapointe, said. “We know that weather-related emergencies caused by climate change will continue to challenge us as individuals and as a province.”
The BC Government announced the details of a new heat alert system yesterday, one of three recommendations made by the Coroners.
“Last summer’s unprecedented heat dome tragically resulted in hundreds of fatalities, making it clear we need to do more to be better prepared for future extreme heat events,” Public Safety Minster, Mike Farnworth, said.
“We’ve developed a new heat framework so we’re ready for the next heat event, and we are ready to issue Broadcast Intrusive alerts for extreme heat emergencies to ensure people are aware.”
The B.C. government is also being asked to identify and support people most at risk of dying during extreme heat emergencies, and to also implement extreme heat prevention and long-term risk mitigation strategies.
“We must learn what we can from the tragic loss of life last summer to support future awareness and focused public health and safety strategies,” Lapointe added.
“I am encouraged by the work already underway across ministries and organizations, and believe that the panel’s recommendations will support improved outcomes for people in B.C., should similar heat events occur in the future.”
