Today the National Heat Plan is in effect. That alarm will probably last until after the weekend, but what is the National Heat Plan anyway? And should healthy Dutch people care?
By Eimert PrussiaTogether with the KNMI, the RIVM determines whether the National Heat Plan will take effect. You already know the KNMI from the weather codes. The weather institute uses international warning colors to indicate how dangerous the weather is.
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The KNMI has announced code yellow from Wednesday. That means: be alert. These codes have nothing to do with the Heat Plan. In addition to yellow and green (nothing wrong), you also have code orange and red. With orange you have to be prepared and with red you have to take action.
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With the National Heat Plan, RIVM alerts care organizations that work with the elderly, the chronically ill and vulnerable groups to work. The (healthcare) alarm can apply to parts of the Netherlands or to the whole of the Netherlands, as is currently the case.
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The elderly (especially those over 75) are very vulnerable in hot weather. They feel less thirsty and therefore have a greater chance of dehydration. But children are also among the vulnerable groups.
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The National Heat Plan ensures that the organizations involved keep an eye on, advise and help vulnerable groups. In this way, the organizations involved can take measures to take good care of people during the heat.
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Het Nationaal Hitteplan is een ‘alarmering’ voor:
- Het Nederlandse Rode Kruis
- GGD GHOR Nederland
- Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport
- KNMI
- TNO
- Ouderenzorg ActiZ
- Landelijke Huisartsen Vereniging
- Verpleegkundigen & Verzorgenden Nederland
- Seniorenorganisatie KBO-PCOB
- Algemene Nederlandse Bond voor Ouderen
- Koninklijke Nederlandse Maatschappij ter bevordering der Pharmacie
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The alarmed organizations in the Heat Plan, in turn, draw the attention of everyone in their working area to the heat. The Dutch Red Cross is one of the partners in the Heat Plan. It is not the case that the organization sits still until the plan is activated. “We also look at the weather forecast,” a spokesperson for the Red Cross told NU.nl. “We are only going to do more with the Heat Plan.”
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The National Heat Plan therefore focuses mainly on vulnerable groups, mIt is intended to make the whole of the Netherlands alert to the dangers of heat. “It is incorrect that the Heat Plan is only for the elderly. Heat is dangerous for everyone. The Dutch underestimate what heat does to you.”
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“With the Heat Plan, nothing changes for the average Dutch person, but you just have to pay extra attention. Not only to the elderly and children, but also to yourself. Drink more water and coffee, be careful with alcohol, stay out of the sun, wear covering clothes.” So the standard tune and especially keep thinking logically, the Red Cross spokesperson also admits.
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With the Heat Plan, the Red Cross is even more visible at events, care homes and other places where the heat can pose a danger. Sometimes the organization also distributes water. The Red Cross is also very active on social media such as Instagram and TikTok to warn people about the heat. In that respect, the organization is an important Heat Plan partner.
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The Red Cross therefore continues to share information, and the spokesperson participates in this. “Put on a cap, don’t run in the bright sun. Even as a fit 28-year-old woman you can’t escape the dangers of the heat.”
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Healthcare institutions mainly think of the vulnerable and take extra measures. They provide fans or even portable air conditioners. Of course there is plenty of drinking water and the curtains are closed to keep the sun out.
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If the National Heat Plan is no longer operational, the Red Cross and other organizations involved will not simply stop their work. “We will continue to share the information, because then nothing will change. You always have to pay more attention when it gets warmer.”
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