Outdoor 2024 - Extreme Weather Procedures

EXTREME HEAT GUIDE

ASA-Extreme-Heat-Event-Guide.pdf (emsamain.com)

Procedure: Decision Making Steps at Field

Step 1

• Go to https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca and find your specific location.

Step 2

• Check the current temperature with specific focus on the “feels like” temperature which accounts for the humidity in measuring temperature.

Step 3

• It is the responsibility of the respective coaches to monitor local temperatures and consult with the Match Official to determine the status of the Game and activity modification**
  • **The Match Official reserves the right to cancel a match based on their assessment of the Extreme Heat Event Activity Guide**

Step 4

• Review the EHE Activity Chart for appropriate Activity Modifications

Early warning signs to consider include but are not limited to;

• Flushed face
• Hyperventilation or shortness of breath
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Tingling arms
• Goose bumps (hair on arms standing on end)
• Chilliness
• Poor coordination
• Confusion, agitation, uncooperativeness

Procedure:

AIR QUALITY HEALTH INDEX (AQHI)

Sherwood Park Programming:

Includes:

• Phoenix FC Tier 4 Practices and Games
• Phoenix FC Tiers 1-3 Practices within Sherwood Park

Procedure:

Weekdays:

• At 4:00pm - we will check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) for Strathcona County here.
• An email from office@spdsa.net will be sent out with the programming status for the night.

Weekends:

• One-hour before your scheduled game or practice, check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) for Strathcona County here.
• Use the measurement currently displayed, regardless of its last calculated time.

If the AQHI is listed as being...

Low Risk (1-3): Continue as normal, no restrictions to outdoor activity.

Moderate Risk (4-6): Some restrictions to outdoor activity. 

• Recommend a decrease in the intensity and duration of training sessions, and increased water breaks.

7 (High Risk) to 10+ (Very High Risk): Game is automatically cancelled.

• No teams or referees are needed to show up at the field.

Exposed individuals who are otherwise healthy may have the following symptoms when exposed to wildfire smoke:

• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• Increased mucus production in the nose or throat
• Cough
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, especially during exercise

Individuals with respiratory conditions (such as COPD and asthma), and individuals with existing cardiovascular conditions (such as angina, previous heart attack and congestive heart failure), may notice a worsening of symptoms, due to the poor air quality conditions. These individuals should monitor for worsening of symptoms and take the precautions recommended by their physicians if a worsening of symptoms occurs.

EMSA Programming:

Includes:

• Phoenix FC Tiers 1-3 Games

Procedure:

Weekdays:

• At 4:00pm - we will check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) for Strathcona County here.
• An email from office@spdsa.net will be sent out with the programming status for the night.

Weekend:

• One-hour before your scheduled game check Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) for Alberta here.
• Use the measurement currently displayed, regardless of its last calculated time.

For games being played IN EDMONTON:

• Edmonton East - for the area South of the river and East of Calgary Trail
• Edmonton McCauley - for the area North of the river and East of Highway 2
• Edmonton Lendrum - for the area South of the river and West of Calgary Trail
• Woodcroft - for the are North of the river and West of Highway 2

Substation link here.

For games being played IN SHERWOOD PARK:

• Use Strathcona County AQHI reading

For games being played IN SPRUCE GROVE:

• Use St. Albert AQHI reading

If the AQHI is listed as being...

1 (Low Risk) to 6 (Moderate Risk): Game will proceed as scheduled.

• Teams are expected to show to the field or will forfeit the game.
• If AQHI rises to 7 (High Risk) or above just before the game start or during the game, the game will be cancelled at the field by the referee.
• If two-thirds of the game have not been played already, the game will be rescheduled.

7 (High Risk) to 10+ (Very High Risk): Game is automatically cancelled.

• No teams or referees are needed to show up at the field.

N/A: If the AQI is N/A at 4pm for the sub-location of your game, the overall reading for your general location will be the accepted reading.

Exposed individuals who are otherwise healthy may have the following symptoms when exposed to wildfire smoke:

• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• Increased mucus production in the nose or throat
• Cough
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, especially during exercise

Individuals with respiratory conditions (such as COPD and asthma), and individuals with existing cardiovascular conditions (such as angina, previous heart attack and congestive heart failure), may notice a worsening of symptoms, due to the poor air quality conditions. These individuals should monitor for worsening of symptoms and take the precautions recommended by their physicians if a worsening of symptoms occurs.

Additional EMSA Notes:

• Calculate AQHI readings 3 hours prior to games being played in Red Deer, or for those teams travelling from Red Deer to the city (or surrounding areas) regardless of the last calculated time.
• Games being played at the Edmonton Scottish Dome or the Red Deer Dome are not affected by the AQHI as both locations are played indoors on artificial turf. Games at these locations will proceed regardless of outside air quality.

RAINOUT AND STORMS PROCEDURE

Sherwood Park Programming:

Includes:

• Phoenix FC Tier 4 Practices and Games
• Phoenix FC Tiers 1-3 Practices within Sherwood Park

Procedure:

Weekdays:

• At 4:00pm - we will check the Strathcona County Field Status here.
• We will notify teams and families via our RAMP emailing system regarding the status of their programming for the evening. Please note that we will try to accommodate as many teams as possible onto our indoor field.

Weekends:

• Strathcona County Field Conditions are updated by 9am on weekends. 
• Check the Strathcona County Field Status here.

If the field status is listed as being...

• Red (Closed) - The field is closed and programming is cancelled.
• Green (Open) - The field is deemed to be playable. Please dress for the weather and arrive ready to play.

EMSA Programming:

https://emsamain.com/seasoninfo/outdoorseason/rain-out-lines/

Lightning Safety and Severe Weather:

Phoenix FC keeps in accordance with the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) protocols with regards to Lightning and Severe Weather.

When to pause or delay the game?

As soon as you hear thunder, you must stop playing and seek shelter to eliminate the risk of being struck by lightning.

Where to go during a storm?

If a fully-sheltered building is available, this should be your first choice. If this isn't possible, a vehicle is a safe second option. If caught outdoors, take shelter in a low lying area and avoid trees or tall objects.

When to restart the game?

You may resume the game 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Match Officials have the final say over delaying or restarting a match due to severe weather.

WHEN THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS! 

Continuing matches or resuming too quickly after a storm can result in serious injury or loss of life!