Bergen County to Open Cooling Centers to Address Heat Index

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, the Bergen County Board of Commissioners, and the Bergen County Department of Human Services announce that the County of Bergen has opened several emergency cooling centers throughout the county to help residents stay cool during the current heat wave with temperatures expected to climb well above 90 degrees.  Bergen County has established 5 regional cooling centers, which will be open from Sunday, June 22, 2025 to Friday, June 27, 2025, from 9 am to 6 pm.

County Administration Building                    (201) 336-7300
1st Floor, One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ  07601

Bergenfield Senior Activity Center                (201) 387-7212
293 Murray Hill Terrace, Bergenfield, NJ  07621

Garfield Senior Activity Center                      (973) 478-0502
480 Midland Avenue, Garfield, NJ  07026  

Northwest Bergen Senior Activity Center      (201) 445-5690
46-50 Center Street, Midland Park, NJ  07432

Southwest Bergen Senior Activity Center    (201) 935-8920
147 Hackensack Street, East Rutherford, NJ

In addition, several municipalities are designating public spaces such as public libraries, shopping centers, recreation, and senior centers as cooling centers.  Residents should consider visiting municipal cooling centers before traveling to the County facility to help avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Residents requiring a ride to the County emergency cooling center may call 201-394-2882.

It is recommended that residents stay indoors, if possible, from 11 am to 3 pm, when ths sun is at its strongest and burns and heat strokes are more likely to occur.  All age groups are at risk for heat stroke, so please take necessary precautions if you must be outdoors, including wearing sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and staying properly hydrated.  Pets are allowed to be brought into the County cooling facilities as long as they remain on a leash and/or can be crated.  It is NEVER okay to leave a child or pet in a locked vehicle, even for a moment, as temperatures can rise quickly.  It is also imperative to lock all parked vehicles so children cannot accidentally lock themselves inside while playing games of hide and seek.