Highlights from the Midi-Pyrénées Regional Health Agency - Since June 1, 2012: implementation of the Heat Wave and Health Alert System (SACS)

The National Heat Wave Plan (PNC) is divided into three levels: 1. The seasonal monitoring level covers the period from June 1 to August 31. It allows each relevant agency, both at the national level and within departments and municipalities, to verify the functionality of alert interfaces, systems for identifying vulnerable individuals, and the operational readiness of measures outlined in the Plan for higher levels. Every day during this period, the InVS monitors meteorological and health indicators in collaboration with Météo-France.

2. The warning and action level is triggered by departmental prefects if thresholds are forecast to be exceeded on the same day or one to three days in advance. Depending on the situation, it allows:

• if the alert is triggered by a forecast of a heat wave, to prepare for the implementation of preventive health and social measures—measures that are not set forth in the Plan but are proposed and selected in a manner appropriate to the intensity and duration of the anticipated phenomenon,

• if the alert is triggered by an actual heat wave, to implement appropriate health and social measures at the local and national levels: disseminating information on preventive measures, providing support to at-risk individuals as defined in the plan, establishing a toll-free hotline, and, if necessary, activating “white plans” in hospitals and “blue plans” in nursing homes (these plans specifically allow for recalling staff or opening additional beds).

3. The maximum mobilization level corresponds to an exceptional situation extending beyond the health sector, requiring the mobilization of all stakeholders involved in the National Heatwave Plan (PNC). It is triggered by the Prime Minister upon the recommendation of the Ministers of Health and the Interior. The PNC outlines the actions to be implemented at each level to prevent the health impacts of heat. To assist in decision-making and the activation of the plan’s levels, the Heat Wave and Health Alert System (SACS) has been established, managed by the InVS and at the regional level by the Cire. SACS is based on the monitoring of a biometeorological indicator that can be linked to high daily excess mortality, taking several parameters into account. It provides for the continuous monitoring of health indicators (mortality and morbidity), which make it possible to assess the potential impact of heat waves. These indicators are presented in this bulletin (page 9 and following) for the entire region and for each department.