Wilkes-Barre — Mayor George C. Brown stated that the City of Wilkes-Barre will implement the Code Blue classification because of extremely cold temperatures, on Saturday, March 23.
The Code Blue Emergency Shelter Program is run by Keystone Mission at the Keystone Mission Innovation Center, 90 E. Union St., Wilkes-Barre. During Code Blue, the shelter will be open for guests to arrive between 8 and 9 p.m. and will close at 7 a.m. the next morning.
The city will help with the management of the program by deciding when a Code Blue is needed, announcing when it will be in effect, and having city staff try to inform the homeless about the activation of a Code Blue.
A Code Blue will be put into action when the National Weather Service predicts windchill temperatures of 20 degrees or lower, or when there is an expected snowfall of 10 inches or more. The public will also be informed about a Code Blue situation by the lighting of a blue light on Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre.
Individuals who want to volunteer to help with the Code Blue Program or need more information about the program should get in touch with Keystone Mission at 570-871-4795, ext. 404, or by sending an email to [email protected].
