Katherine Davis-Young/KJZZ
The Barton Barr Library in Phoenix is one of the cooling centers in the Maricopa Association of Governments' Heat Relief Network.
a new public inquiry The purpose is to identify gaps in emergency heat relief services in Maricopa County.
Maricopa County could see a record number of heat-related deaths this year. So the county's public health department wants to know what it will take to get more people into the system. Dozens of hydration stations and emergency cooling centers Beyond the valley.
“We are developing networks to cover our most vulnerable populations. If we don't have easy access, we need to address it,” said Dr. Nick Staab, assistant medical director for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. told KJZZ News.
of Heat mitigation network Operated by the Maricopa Association of Governments, it includes public spaces such as libraries where people can cool off during extreme heat, as well as cooling sites run by nonprofits and community groups.
Staab said the cooling center survey includes questions about advertising, traffic barriers and safety concerns.
“The cooling centers that currently exist have all these limitations, but we want to define them more clearly so that we can better plan for the upcoming summer,” Staab said. .
Staab said the department has been planning the investigation for more than a year. The department is currently conducting a study to assess how cooling centers are meeting the needs of local communities during times of increased demand.
Staab said the public health department will conduct surveys at cooling centers to understand what brings people in. But the health department said it is seeking feedback from all Maricopa County residents, whether or not they have visited a cooling center.
The investigation is online or call 602-506-6767. It will be held until the end of the month.
