Is France prepared for another heat wave?

PARIS - The sun is out and the jonquils are in bloom. But as spring arrives in Paris, the warmer weather has raised questions about whether France is ready for a heat wave like last summer's sizzler that killed 15,000 in this country.

Retirement homes are trying to equip themselves with fans and air conditioners, but the costs are out of reach for some.

Adehpa, an association of retirement home managers, says the government is all talk and no new money - forcing them to shoulder an average of $18,000 to $24,000 to install cooling systems for individual rooms.

"With three months to go before summer, we're starting to panic," said spokeswoman Agnes Lafargue. "The problems we face are the same as those last year."

Record temperatures were recorded in many major European cities last August, with readings in France higher than 104 degrees. Most of the deaths were in France, with the heat wave one of the deadliest weather phenomena in decades.

Many causes were given for the staggering toll: staffing shortages at retirement homes, government aloofness, the sudden heat spike and families on vacation who left elderly relatives at home.

In recent days, French media have reported almost daily on subjects such as the summer forecast, a surge in air conditioner sales and heat-wave preparations at retirement homes.

"Everybody is on a war footing," said Luc Broussy, who heads Synerpa, an association of private retirement homes. "There will be extreme vigilance."

He said retirement home staffers are practicing dousing bed sheets with cool water and remain on alert for the need to provide extra fluids to patients.

"We're not going to allow any surprises this year," Broussy said. "The heat wave was an event that completely traumatized the country."

The government of Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin faced heavy criticism for its slow reaction to the heat wave - but some say the lesson hasn't sunk in.

Hubert Falco, minister for the elderly, has sought to showcase the government's response in trips to hospitals and retirement homes outfitted with glitzy new air conditioning units and "cool rooms." Health Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy urged hospitals to prepare.

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