Arizona’s first heat officer, Dr. Eugene Livar, is working with local governments and nonprofit organizations to open more cooling centers and ensure homes have functioning air conditioners in an effort to prevent heat-related deaths after a toll of over 900 statewide last year. Livar, who was appointed by Gov. Katie Hobbs earlier this year, is the first heat officer of a U.S. state, recognizing the serious public health risks posed by extreme heat. Arizona Heat Awareness Week kicked off with a news conference that included officials from Phoenix, Tempe, and Maricopa County, which saw a record number of heat-related deaths in 2021. The increased coordination is a response to the rising temperatures, with federal agencies seeking better ways to protect people from dangerous heat waves.
Last summer, Phoenix experienced the hottest three months on record, with the daily average temperature in June, July, and August surpassing the previous record. Phoenix also set a record with a streak of highs at or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit in July. The hot season in Maricopa County runs from May 1 through September 30, with 2021 being particularly brutal. This year, Arizona has declared May 6-10 as Arizona Heat Awareness Week to highlight the dangers of the hot summer months and work on ways to better protect residents. The state has implemented an Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan and is introducing new measures, including solar-powered mobile cooling centers and 24-hour cooling centers in Phoenix.
The National Weather Service and the CDC have presented a new online heat-risk system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors with a seven-day forecast color-coded for a warming world of worsening heat waves. The increased coordination among different government agencies and organizations comes as federal agencies seek better ways to protect people from extreme heat. The primary focus is on preventing heat-related fatalities after last year’s devastating toll. Livar and other officials are working to prepare for the challenges of the rising temperatures and to ensure that residents have access to cooling centers and other resources to stay safe during the hot summer months.
Maricopa County has allocated nearly $4 million to expand evening and weekend hours of cooling and respite centers where people can escape the outdoor heat and stay hydrated. The county is also assisting residents with limited resources in paying their utilities and repairing or replacing their air conditioners. City of Phoenix has opened two 24-hour cooling centers, recognizing the need for round-the-clock access to relief from the heat. The efforts to protect residents from extreme heat-related illnesses and fatalities are a unified response by various government agencies and organizations to address the increasing risks posed by climate-fueled heat waves. The goal is to prevent a repeat of last year’s high number of heat-related deaths and ensure that residents have the resources they need to stay safe and cool during the hot summer months.
