12/14/2025
If you live in Fresno please contact the mayor and council to help save lives this winter! sample message:
December 14, 2026
Mayor and Council
Sadly, two elderly unhoused community members died in their tent from carbon monoxide poisoning on December 12 while attempting to stay warm. These deaths could have been avoided if the city had opened the warming centers.
The city’s policy to only open warming centers at 34 degrees or less is cruel, inhumane, and will cause immense suffering and more deaths from accidents and hypothermia.
I urge you to open the three warming centers and a fourth center in north Fresno at this time for the duration of winter. The unhoused human beings of Fresno, especially the elderly and disabled, who are the majority using the warming centers, are at risk of suffering exposure and hypothermia. Many of them have no tents, sleeping bags or even blankets, some have no warm jackets. The most common causes of hypothermia are exposure to cold-weather conditions or cold water. But, prolonged exposure to any environment colder than your body can lead to hypothermia if you aren't dressed appropriately or can't control your body temperature.
Older adults are more likely to have a cold injury, especially hypothermia, because, their normal body temperature may decrease with age.They can't regulate their body temperature as well. They do not produce as much heat energy. They also have less body fat. Their blood vessels do not narrow (constrict) and conserve body heat as easily. They do not shiver as much. Shivering warms the body. Their mental awareness of changes in temperatures may change. They have medical conditions that increase their risk for hypothermia. There are many medical and health conditions that contribute to cold injury and hypothermia.
Again, please open the four warming centers for the season to protect and to save lives.
"I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes,'
Matthew 25:43
Bob McCloskey
Fresno Community Alliance
