Phoenix (AZ Family) — Maricopa County set a grim record for heat-related deaths last year, prompting the county and the city of Phoenix to step up efforts and expand resources.

This is the first year the City of Phoenix has opened overnight heatless pite centers and extended cooling center hours.

City leaders say thousands of people are taking advantage of these changes and the number of heat-related deaths is decreasing.

“We are encouraged this week that the 2024 numbers are lower than the 2023 numbers,” said Dr. Nick Staab, the hospital’s associate medical director. Maricopa County Public Health Department.

Last year, 645 people died due to heat, 52% more than the previous record set in 2022. Maricopa County is currently reporting fewer heat-related deaths this year compared to last year. it is A difference of about 40 people.

“We hope this indicates that trends are changing and that heat-related deaths are decreasing,” Staab said.

Each year, the county releases an annual report on heat-related deaths. The data is then used to determine which communities are in need of targeted resources.

“We opened all of our heat sites based on data from last year, when we had the highest number of heat calls,” said Rachel Milne, director of the City of Phoenix’s Office of Homelessness.

Phoenix is ​​even more open this year 95 cooling centers and hydration stations.

“To date, more than 26,000 people have visited the center,” said Brian Lee, director of the Phoenix Emergency Management Agency.

According to the state: Barton Barr Central Libraryis the only 24-hour respite center in the city and the most visited. According to fire officials, the number of calls has decreased by 20%.

“We have assisted with evacuation, treatment, detoxification, and other services for more than 540 people at that location alone. 89% of the population served at this facility are experiencing homelessness. “It shows that,” Milne said.

These efforts are now attracting attention from other states and cities.

“The program that the city of Phoenix has built is being looked at as a national model,” Lee said. “This is one of the first cities to have a comprehensive program.”

This year’s heat is killing fewer people than last, so Phoenix crisis management room plans to continue its heat mitigation efforts by adding more resources each year.

“Like last year, we’re going to learn from these numbers,” Lee said. “We will look at what we can do to strengthen our strategy next year to further reduce this number.”

For the first time this year, the city is distributing pamphlets with resources and signage information on how to spot heat stroke, the city said. They believe this has led to an increase in the number of people visiting the centre.

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