This summer, Downtown Eastside residents in Vancouver have a cool new way to beat the heat.
The Cooling Bus, driven by former CRAB Park residents, operates three days a week, visiting parks and streets across the DTES and Strathcona.
Every Cooling Bus staff member is trained through the ‘Street Degree’ overdose prevention program, including Kiana McDermott, a former CRAB Park resident.
“It was definitely some of the hardest times of my life, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy,” said McDermott.
She explains that Downtown Eastside temperatures can feel 10 to 15 degrees hotter than reported, making cooling services critical for survival.
“Heat stroke is a very real thing, and we’re trying to prevent that.”
The bus is stocked with oranges, water bottles, snacks, and naloxone kits, as well as a bunch of other useful items for people who need them most. Its operators took CityNews along for a stop at Oppenheimer Park.
Reflecting on her time in CRAB Park, McDermott says getting food and water was a struggle. She says the initiative is vital, not just for those using the service, but for herself as well.
“Having people do what I’m doing right now has helped me come out of the places and the darkness where I was.”
The Cooling Bus seats 14 people and is equipped with air conditioning. It operates Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
