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PHOENIX (April 30, 2024)— In response to the largest number of heat-related deaths since tracking began, Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is ramping up its heat response efforts for 2024 to expand the Maricopa County Heat Relief Network. The Network was initiated in 2005 by the Maricopa Association of Governments and is comprised of public, private and non-profit volunteer organizations that all come together with one goal: reduce the number of heat related deaths in Maricopa County.
This year, in part due to an investment of American Rescue Plan funds by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, MCDPH is coordinating cooling and respite centers throughout the County along with ensuring that Maricopa County residents know how to access these centers.
“The number one thing we learned from our cooling center assessment in 2023 is that people need cooling centers to be open longer and on weekends. The other important piece we learned is that people need help finding cooling centers and other heat relief resources,” said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director for MCDPH. “With this in mind, our team has been working tirelessly all winter with our Heat Relief partners to refine our current heat relief system’s hours of operation and ensure that we have a system in place for people to find these resources.”
In response to this assessment, MCDPH has developed a robust plan to support the community:
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Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) with Phoenix, Glendale, Chandler, Mesa and Tempe. In partnership with these large cities, cooling and respite centers will be available to those needing to get out of the heat. At least one heat relief site in each city will be open until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and open on at least one weekend day. Many of these are respite centers, which allow people to have uninterrupted rest while they cool off.
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Partnership with 2-1-1. MCDPH has contracted with AZ 2-1-1 to staff their call center with community health workers or promotoras that speak English and Spanish to help residents find cooling and respite centers, water and other heat relief support like utility assistance and A/C repair and replacement from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
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Partnership with large organizations providing cooling and respite centers. MCDPH will also be contracting with larger non-profits providing heat relief center support to ensure that cooling and respite centers are staying open until at least 7 p.m. and on weekends throughout the county whenever possible.
Long term, MCDPH has invested in its workforce to support climate and health. It has hired a Climate and Health Program Manager, as well as a Heat Relief Coordinator to focus specifically on supporting the county’s heat relief site infrastructure. This work is in addition to MCDPH’s robust surveillance to track heat-related deaths, which it has done since 2006.
Every year since 2016, Maricopa County has set a new record in the number of heat-related deaths confirmed. To break this tragic streak, it will require everyone to play a role, and at the center of this is the Heat Relief Network.
“The bottom line is that we know all of these deaths can be prevented, and it is going to take every one of us in Maricopa County to do our part,” said Dr. Sunenshine. “Preventing heat deaths comes down to three things: know your risk, protect yourself, and protect others.”
Here’s how residents and visitors to Maricopa County can do that:
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Know your risk.
- Anyone can experience heat illness or death, regardless of age, health, fitness level, or how long they’ve lived in Arizona.
- Older adults are at higher risk, along with individuals who have underlying medical conditions, live in mobile homes, are experiencing homelessness or use illicit substances.
- People are at risk throughout the heat season; deaths can and do occur on days with or without heat warnings.
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Protect yourself.
- Stay well-hydrated, wear lightweight clothes, and avoid being outdoors during the hottest parts of the day.
- If you are outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors with air conditioning.
- If you are indoors, use air conditioning, especially if it is over 90 degrees outside. Once temperatures are above 95 degrees F, fans cannot provide enough cooling to keep you safe.
- If you need a place to cool off, dial 2-1-1 or visit MAG’s online map to find a Heat Relief Network partner near you.
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Protect others.
- Check on neighbors and loved ones, especially those who are older or live alone, to make sure their air conditioning is working and turned on.
- Never leave kids, pets, and others who may rely on you inside of a parked car.
- Help the Heat Relief Network provide life-saving resources. If you can, volunteer or donate heat relief supplies like bottled water, reusable water bottles, sunscreen and hats. Email HSinfo@azmag.gov for more details on how to donate to participating locations.
For more details on heat illnesses, prevention tips, and data, visit Maricopa.gov/heat.
For the map of heat relief centers and to find out where to donate supplies, visit https://azmag.gov/heatrelief.
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