PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia residents having trouble coping with the heat can once again call a hotline for advice.

For the second time this spring, the Philadelhpia Corporation for Aging has activated its “heatline” for folks having difficulty handling the heat.

Director Chris Gallagher says he’s never seen anything like this year’s temperatures.

“Over the past 10 to 12 years, the earliest we’ve had the heatline open is June 7th. That was 2008.  So having two (heat waves) in the same time frame is pretty significant,” he notes.

And he says it may be too much for people whose bodies have not yet acclimated to the extreme conditions, in which case they can call the heatline at 215-765-9040.

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In addition to call counselors, Gallagher says, PCA has nurses standing by, though they are limited.

“There’s only so much they can over the phone, so sometimes we encourage somebody to go to a doctor or the hospital, or we send out a mobile team from the health depatrtment to go to the person’s home which also has a nurse on the mobile team who can check vital signs.  (They) go into the person’s home and look at their living environment and see the situation firsthand, see what they can do to help.”

PCA counselors will also give tips on how to stay cool and recommend places to go to get out of the heat.

Meanwhile, since it’s going to be even hotter tomorrow than it is today, Philadelphia public and archdiocesan schools will be closing early again.  Dismissal time on Thursday will be 1:30pm, with regular transportation provided.

Reported by Paul Kurtz and Ian Bush, KYW Newsradio 1060