Dover church opens overnight warming center again

DOVER — St. George's Maronite Church is again opening as a overnight warming center during a stretch of cold weather, the city announced.

The warming center will be in the church's assembly hall at 15 Chapel St. This location is for overnight warming only, with no formal sleeping arrangements, from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, through Thursday morning, Jan. 9, at 8 a.m. Access to the warming center is from Mechanic Street, not the main entrance to the church. This warming center received authorization today to open from Dover Fire and Rescue. While open, the warming center will be staffed by volunteers.

Temperatures Wednesday night were expected to reach single digits, according to the National Weather Service.

Per usual, several city of Dover public facilities are available as warming centers during regular business hours, including the McConnell Center, the Public Library and City Hall. Warming centers in Dover are also available and accessible anytime at the city's police station, located downtown on Chestnut Street, and the city's three fire stations. The Liberty North End Fire Station is located at 262 Sixth St. The Central Fire Station is located at 9-11 Broadway. The South End Fire Station is located at 25 Durham Road.

Other organizations interested in opening and operating a temporary emergency shelter in Dover are asked to contact and coordinate with the Fire Chief Paul Haas, who is the city's emergency management director. In accordance with the city emergency operations plan, Haas will ensure that fire and life safety guidelines of the New Hampshire fire marshal are met.

The city's Public Welfare Department is available to coordinate services for those who need and want emergency assistance, including shelter, food and medical care. The Public Welfare Department offices at the McConnell Center are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and can be reached by phone at (603) 516-6500. For after-hours emergency needs, the public welfare program can be reached at (603) 742-4646 or by visiting the police or fire stations to request assistance. Police and fire personnel are trained emergency responders and will notify and coordinate with the city's public welfare providers, day or night, getting assistance to those who want help, the city announced. This assistance can include finding available shelter space, day or night, along with transportation, if needed.

To further assist with emergency sheltering needs throughout the Tri-City area, the Strafford County's extreme cold weather shelter, located at 276 County Farm Road in Dover, may also open when deemed necessary by area emergency management officials and the Strafford County Commissioners. Should this temporary emergency facility be activated, the city will share this information at dover.nh.gov, via email notifications, social media, and Channel 22. For more information about the county shelter, call (857) 323-0388.

For more information, call Dover Fire and Rescue at (603) 516-6148. For emergencies, dial 911.