5th District Medical Response Coalition

01/21/2026

Update on Warming Shelters:

Barry County:
See attached picture.

Kalamazoo County:
𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐄𝐑 & 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

The NWS predicts that Kalamazoo will see more frigid temperatures in the coming days. Windchills of -15 degrees are predicted on Friday and -10 degrees on Saturday.

There are several warming shelters and centers available for those in need. Shelters accommodate overnight stays and centers accommodate daytime use. Residents are encouraged to take refuge indoors during periods of extreme cold, snow, or freezing rain. Prolonged exposure to cold weather can quickly lead to hypothermia, frostbite, and other dangerous cold-related medical conditions. According to the National Weather Service, exposed skin can develop frostbite in as little as 30 minutes with -18 degree windchills. The City of Kalamazoo wants to prevent anyone from experiencing cold related injuries or death. The following list includes details on options for warming shelters and centers in the Kalamazoo area.

Warming Shelter – Ministry with Community, 500 N Edwards St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Open now through the end of March, 2026.
*Adults only. No pets. Please contact Housing Resource Inc. at (269)382-0287 x1 during normal business hours in order to register for stays.

Warming Shelter – Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries, 448 N Burdick St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Open now.
*Adults and children with parents’ welcome. Valid state or Kalamazoo County identification proving Kalamazoo metropolitan area residency is temporarily lifted due to weather conditions. Residency / ID requirement will be back in effect on 02/01/26. Call (269)345-2974 for more information.

Warming Center – Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries, 448 N Burdick St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Open all days when temperatures are below freezing, 9 AM – 4 PM when guests can transition straight to dinner.
*No identification nor residency requirement for KGM “warming center” utilization.

Warming Center – Kalamazoo Public Library Central Library, 315 S Rose St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Open 9 AM – 8 PM on Monday – Thursday, 9 AM – 6 PM on Fridays, 10 AM – 5 PM on Saturdays, 1 PM – 5 PM on Sundays.

Warming Center – Kalamazoo Public Library Washington Square Branch, 1244 Portage St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001
Open 1 PM – 6 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays, 1 PM – 8 PM on Wednesdays, 10 AM – 6 PM on Thursdays, 10 AM – 5 PM on Fridays, 10 AM – 2 PM on Saturdays, closed on Sundays.

Warming Center – Kalamazoo Public Library Eastwood Branch, 1112 Gayle Ave, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49048
Open 1 PM – 8 PM on Mondays, 1 PM – 6 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 AM – 6 PM on Thursdays, 10 AM – 5 PM on Fridays, 10 AM – 2 PM on Saturdays, closed on Sundays.

Warming Center – Kalamazoo Public Library Alma Powell Branch, 308 W North St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Open 1 PM – 6 PM on Mondays, 1 PM – 8 PM on Tuesdays, 1 PM – 6 PM on Wednesdays, 10 AM – 6 PM on Thursdays, 10 AM – 5 PM on Fridays, 10 AM – 2 PM on Saturdays, closed on Sundays.

Warming Center – Kalamazoo Public Library Oshtemo Branch, 7265 W Main St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009
Open 10 AM – 8 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 AM – 6 PM on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 AM – 5 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, closed on Sundays.

Warming Center – Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1515 Helen Ave, Portage, Michigan 49002
Open now through March 31, 2026, 10 AM – 2 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.
*They have vans that will pick up from Ministry with Community at 10 AM and Airport Inn at 11 AM. They will drop back off at 2 PM. Lunches are provided. Service dogs are allowed, but no other pets.

Warming Center – Portage District Library, 300 Library Ln, Portage, Michigan 49002
Open 9 AM – 9 PM on Monday – Thursday, 9 AM – 6 PM on Fridays, 9 AM – 5 PM on Saturdays, 1 PM – 5 PM on Sundays

Warming Center – Portage Zhang Senior Center, 203 E Centre Ave, Portage, Michigan 49002
Open 8 AM – 5 PM Mondays and Fridays, 7 AM – 7:30 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 2 PM – 5 PM on Sundays.
*Service dogs are allowed, but no other pets.

Warming Center – Salvation Army Kalamazoo, 1700 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001
Open 9 AM – 3 PM Monday through Friday.
*Light snacks and water will be provided. Service dogs are allowed, but no other pets.

Transportation:
Metro Transit will provide free transportation to warming shelters and warming centers through the evening of 01/24/26. Many bus routes are within a minute walk from most shelters and centers. Riders must specifically request transportation to a warming shelter or center to qualify for free fare.

Metro Connect will provide free transportation to riders outside of the Metro Bus service area or with mobility needs who are specifically requesting transportation to a warming shelter or center. Please call Metro Connect Dispatch for ride requests at (269)350-2970.

If you are planning on visiting Westminster Presbyterian Church Warming Center on Tuesday or Thursday and need transportation, they will pick you up from Ministry with Community at 10 AM and Airport Inn at 11 AM. They will drop off to both locations at 2 PM. These rides are free. They are unable to pick up or drop off to other locations. If you need transportation from other areas in the Kalamazoo area through 01/24/26, you may use Metro Transit for free rides to the warming center.

In addition to warming shelters and centers, there are additional mobile resources available for those in the unhoused community experiencing cold-related challenges. The City of Kalamazoo Public Safety Community Service Team (CST) will respond to the individual to discuss different assistance options available. CST can be reached by calling Kalamazoo Consolidated Dispatch at (269) 488-8911 or by email at: [email protected]. If an unhoused individual believes they are experiencing a cold related medical issue which is not an emergency, Street Medicine Kalamazoo (SMKzoo) is also available to help. SMKzoo offers doctor provided healthcare services to the unhoused community and will meet them wherever they are. They can be reached by calling or texting (269) 220-0372. As always, if anyone is experiencing any sort of cold or health emergency, please call 911.

01/21/2026

Warming Shelter Information:

Barry County:
Please see attached picture.

Kalamazoo County:

*** PLEASE USE COLD WEATHER RESOURCES IF NEEDED ***
We have another day of frigid weather ahead of us. Temperatures will be in single digits for a large portion of today and tonight, with windchills reaching -5 to -8 degrees. There are several warming shelters and centers available for those in need. Shelters accommodate overnight stays and centers accommodate daytime use. Residents are encouraged to take refuge indoors during periods of extreme cold, snow, or freezing rain. Prolonged exposure to cold weather can quickly lead to hypothermia, frostbite, and other dangerous cold-related medical conditions. The City of Kalamazoo wants to prevent anyone from experiencing cold related injuries or death. All of the warming shelters and centers below are open at times of today, 01/20/26. The following list includes details on options for warming shelters and centers in the Kalamazoo area.

Warming Shelter – Ministry with Community, 500 N Edwards St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Open now through the end of March, 2026.
*Adults only. No pets. Please contact Housing Resource Inc. at (269)382-0287 x1 during normal business hours in order to register for stays.

Warming Shelter – Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries, 448 N Burdick St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Open now.
*Adults and children with parents’ welcome. Valid state or Kalamazoo County identification proving Kalamazoo metropolitan area residency is required for Shelter use. Call (269)345-2974 for more information.

Warming Center – Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries, 448 N Burdick St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Open all days when temperatures are below freezing, 9 AM – 4 PM when guests can transition straight to dinner.
*No identification nor residency requirement for KGM “warming center” utilization.

Warming Center – Kalamazoo Public Library Central Library, 315 S Rose St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Open 9 AM – 8 PM on Monday – Thursday, 9 AM – 6 PM on Fridays, 10 AM – 5 PM on Saturdays, 1 PM – 5 PM on Sundays.

Warming Center – Kalamazoo Public Library Washington Square Branch, 1244 Portage St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001
Open 1 PM – 6 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays, 1 PM – 8 PM on Wednesdays, 10 AM – 6 PM on Thursdays, 10 AM – 5 PM on Fridays, 10 AM – 2 PM on Saturdays, closed on Sundays.

Warming Center – Kalamazoo Public Library Eastwood Branch, 1112 Gayle Ave, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49048
Open 1 PM – 8 PM on Mondays, 1 PM – 6 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 AM – 6 PM on Thursdays, 10 AM – 5 PM on Fridays, 10 AM – 2 PM on Saturdays, closed on Sundays.

Warming Center – Kalamazoo Public Library Alma Powell Branch, 308 W North St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Open 1 PM – 6 PM on Mondays, 1 PM – 8 PM on Tuesdays, 1 PM – 6 PM on Wednesdays, 10 AM – 6 PM on Thursdays, 10 AM – 5 PM on Fridays, 10 AM – 2 PM on Saturdays, closed on Sundays.

Warming Center – Kalamazoo Public Library Oshtemo Branch, 7265 W Main St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009
Open 10 AM – 8 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 AM – 6 PM on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 AM – 5 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, closed on Sundays.

Warming Center – Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1515 Helen Ave, Portage, Michigan 49002
Open now through March 31, 2026, 10 AM – 2 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.
*They have vans that will transport to and from your location in the Kalamazoo area. Call (269)344-3966 for transportation information. Lunches are provided. Service dogs are allowed, but no other pets.

Warming Center – Portage District Library, 300 Library Ln, Portage, Michigan 49002
Open 9 AM – 9 PM on Monday – Thursday, 9 AM – 6 PM on Fridays, 9 AM – 5 PM on Saturdays, 1 PM – 5 PM on Sundays

Warming Center – Portage Zhang Senior Center, 203 E Centre Ave, Portage, Michigan 49002
Open 8 AM – 5 PM Mondays and Fridays, 7 AM – 7:30 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 2 PM – 5 PM on Sundays.
*Service dogs are allowed, but no other pets.

Warming Center – St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 247 W Lovell St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Open on 01/19/26 and 01/20/26 from 10 AM – 2 PM in their dining hall area.
*Light snacks and coffee will be provided.

Transportation:
Metro Transit will provide free transportation to warming shelters and warming centers on 01/19/26 and 01/20/26. Many bus routes are within a minute walk from most shelters and centers. Riders must specifically request transportation to a warming shelter or center to qualify for free faire.

Metro Connect will provide free transportation to riders outside of the Metro Bus service area or with mobility needs who are specifically requesting transportation to a warming shelter or center. Please call Metro Connect Dispatch for ride requests at (269)350-2970.

If you are planning on visiting Westminster Presbyterian Church Warming Center on Tuesday or Thursday and need transportation, they will pick you up from Ministry with Community at 10 AM and Airport Inn at 11 AM. They will drop off to both locations at 2 PM. These rides are free. They are unable to pick up or drop off to other locations. If you need transportation from other areas in the Kalamazoo area on 01/20/26, you may use Metro Transit for free rides to the warming center.

In addition to warming shelters and centers, there are additional mobile resources available for those in the unhoused community experiencing cold-related challenges. The City of Kalamazoo Public Safety Community Service Team (CST) will respond to the individual to discuss different assistance options available. CST can be reached by calling Kalamazoo Consolidated Dispatch at (269) 488-8911 or by email at: [email protected]. If an unhoused individual believes they are experiencing a cold related medical issue which is not an emergency, Street Medicine Kalamazoo (SMKzoo) is also available to help. SMKzoo offers doctor provided healthcare services to the unhoused community and will meet them wherever they are. They can be reached by calling or texting (269) 220-0372. As always, if anyone is experiencing any sort of cold or health emergency, please call 911.

03/19/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bdm5p8kMt/

West Michigan Regional Medical Consortium

03/18/2025

If you hear sirens around 1pm on the 19th, it is only a drill.

It's Severe Weather Awareness Week! The voluntary statewide tornado drill is scheduled for 1 p.m. this Wednesday, March 19. Check with your local officials to see if sirens will sound near you.

Learn how to prepare for a tornado at https://www.michigan.gov/mspnewsroom/news-releases/2025/03/14/severe-weather-awareness-week.

01/28/2025

West Michigan Regional Medical Consortium (our fiduciary) is looking for a qualified accountant.
If you are interested or know someone that may be please see the job description in the link.

West Michigan Regional Medical Consortium

12/16/2024

Beware of Brushing Scam!

A recent scam has been showing up in many states. We have not had any local reports, but want to make residents aware before you are victimized.

A "brushing" scam is when someone receives an unexpected gift or item not ordered in the mail from a place like Amazon or other company. Examples of gifts include, rings, bracelets, necklaces, Bluetooth speaker, etc. The gift will have the recipient’s address, but not include the sender's information or be from a known retailer. When the recipient opens the package to see what it is and possibly who sent it, there is a QR code to scan to find out who sent the gift.

Once the code is scanned, all the information from that phone will be sent to scammers. They receive all access to the phone. All personal and financial information is accessible to the scammers and often the victim's bank accounts are drained.

The gift can be kept or thrown away, but the QR code should NOT be scanned for any reason. QR code scams are nothing new. These scams show up in all places, including parking meters.

Inform your family members about the scam and avoid scanning any unknown QR codes included in the package.

09/04/2024

September is National Preparedness Month! Emergencies can happen at any time. Is your family prepared? Download emergency, auto and pet preparedness kit checklists at https://www.michigan.gov/miready/plan-ahead.

04/21/2024

We would like to thank West Michigan Air Care for being the Regional communications hub for many years. It is a sad day for all, but thank you to all the men and women who provided our Region with air medical and communications for the past 31 years.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/snViGJ4UZ4g57GfG/?mibextid=qi2Omg

03/13/2024

02/17/2024

We give many thanks to the men and women of WMAC who have assisted in Regional operations over the years. They're much more than an air transport service and we will be working diligently with them on new communications pathways.

West Michigan Air Care will discontinue its helicopter service at Ascension Borgess Hospital and Bronson Healthcare.

01/25/2024

Our thoughts, prayers, and hearts go out to the Michigan State Police.

Remember to move over a lane when there are lights flashing. And always pay attention to the road. It could save a life.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=776506457838649&id=100064379065935&mibextid=Nif5oz

We are saddened to report Tpr. Joel Popp has passed away, as a result of injuries sustained after being struck on a traffic stop on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.

Trooper Popp enlisted with the MSP in January of 2020, graduating as a member of the 137th Trooper Recruit School. He served at the Tri-City Post.

For additional information, visithttps://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MIMSP/2024/01/25/file_attachments/2760055/Tpr.%20Popp%20News%20Release.pdf

01/17/2024

Sponsoring ICS 300 today!
Instructors: Mr. Jason Stevens and Ms. Karla Black.
Hosting agency: Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph County Public Health in Coldwater.

ICS 300 is a 3-day course designed for those emergency response personnel who would function in a Command or General Staff position during a large, complex incident or event, or personnel who are or would likely be part of a local or regional Incident Management Team during a major incident, whether single agency, multiagency or Unified Command.