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Ombudsman Citizens' Aide
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
Health and Wellness for All Arizonans
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH SERVICES
Extreme Heat Preparedness
Arizona is experiencing increasingly longer periods of extreme heat, causing more Arizonans to experience heat-related illness, emergency room visits, and death. Taking proactive measures to mitigate the challenges posed by rising temperatures is essential in protecting the health of Arizonans.
To better support Arizona through extreme heat as part of the Governor’s Executive Order on Extreme Heat Planning and Preparedness and Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan, the Arizona Department of Health Services is releasing our ADHS Recommendations and Findings for the Arizona Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan.
In 2022, there were 359 heat-caused deaths and 671 heat-related deaths in the state. 4,325 people visited hospitals or emergency rooms in 2022 due to illness caused by or related to heat-related illness.
In 2023, Arizona experienced 73 days with temperatures greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and broke a record for most days in a row (31) that had temperatures higher than 110 degrees Fahrenheit. While 2023’s heat data is still being processed for release in September, preliminary data show a record number of heat-related emergency department visits.
Temperatures are only projected to increase, potentially leading to more heat-related illness, emergency room visits, and loss of human life. By 2030, Arizona is projected to experience up to 117 days over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. By 2060, nearly half the days in the year are projected to be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with some Arizona counties seeing warming up to 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit above current temperatures. People living in Arizona’s rural areas are likely to experience the largest changes in temperature.
These recommendations, which incorporate input from long-standing climate and health partners across the state, are an action plan to help reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths as well as prepare Arizona for extended periods of heat in future years.
Our commitment to the safety and well-being of our communities is unwavering, and so we are taking proactive measures to mitigate the challenges posed by rising temperatures.
ADHS’ role in developing and implementing the Arizona Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan
In August 2023, the Governor issued Executive Order (EO) 2023-16: Extreme Heat Planning and Preparedness to protect the health of all Arizonans from rising temperatures.
On Oct. 30, 2023, the Arizona Department of Health Services held the Arizona Heat Planning Summit 2023 as part of the Governor's executive order.
The summit brought together experts and stakeholders from various sectors including state, county and city government agencies, tribal nations, universities, health care providers and nonprofits to develop recommendations to protect Arizona communities from the growing threats of extreme heat.
Through this combination of knowledge sharing, expertise, and unwavering commitment, ADHS developed comprehensive recommendations to bolster the state's resilience and ensure the well-being of all Arizonans during extreme heat events.
Governor Hobb’s Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan
The Governor's Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan incorporated recommendations from the Arizona Heat Planning Summit and ADHS’ Recommendations and Findings.
ADHS’ Recommendations and Findings for the Arizona Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan
As part of the response to extreme heat preparedness in our state, ADHS is proud to share it’s Recommendations and Findings for the Arizona Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan.
These recommendations were shared with the Governor’s Office in February 2024 to support the development of the Governor's Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan released on March 1.
The top recommendations from the Arizona Department of Health Services include:
- Unifying coordination of grassroots heat response activities with state agency efforts.
- Proposing impactful policy change to be accomplished through legislative actions.
- Investing in heat mitigation through grant and funding opportunities.
- Implementing a multi-modal communication plan promoting heat mitigation activities and resources.
- Developing multilingual and tailored education and outreach materials to reach vulnerable populations.
- Improving statewide heat relief coordination to mitigate heat risk.
- Improving current data systems for management of resources and data-driven decision making.
- Activating emergency response protocols.
- Supporting tailored approaches for rural and urban areas with special consideration for regional needs.
- Building capacity and increase stakeholder input through year-round heat coordination.
- Improving consistency through collective standards of heat relief operations, data, and messaging.
- Supporting emerging initiatives and research.
The recommendations aim to drive Arizona’s heat relief activities, reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths, help the state and its residents prepare for extreme heat, and foster innovative solutions.
The Arizona Heat Preparedness Network
The Arizona Heat Preparedness Network was formed by ADHS to carry out the implementation of the Governor’s Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan.
The network consists of many members and organizations working on heat relief activities throughout the state. These partners are also members of one or more of five workgroups established to address different aspects of the extreme heat response in our state. The Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan workgroups include:
- Data to enhance resiliency
- Communicating to promote heat resilience
- Heat relief coordination
- Building a strong infrastructure
- Sustainability, policy, and innovation
The Arizona Heat Preparedness Network members will review data and finalize materials, recommendations, and additional deliverables developed by these workgroups and then share them with the Steering Committee to inform decision-making and assist in successful implementation this summer.
Arizona Department of Health Chief Heat Officer, Bureau Chief of Environmental Health, and Heat Relief Coordinator
ADHS has established two new positions to assist in oversight of the Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan’s implementation and the department’s heat response.
Eugene Livar is the Assistant Director for Public Health Preparedness at ADHS and the nation’s first-ever statewide Chief Heat Officer.
This position is an initiative created under Governor Hobb’s Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan. As the state's Chief Heat Officer, Dr. Livar will oversee the implementation of the plan and work to coordinate partnerships between the state, county health departments, local municipalities, communities, the private sector, and community-based organizations.
Jennifer Botsford is the Bureau Chief for Environmental Health. She will lead ADHS heat relief activities and strategic planning as well as directly support the Chief Heat Officer in the coordinated statewide efforts.
Taylor Lutich is ADHS’ new Heat Relief Coordinator who will serve as the statewide point-of-contact for county coordinators and community partners and facilitate the Arizona Heat Preparedness workgroups to accomplish the goals set forth by the Governor in Executive Order 2023-16.
We want to hear from you! Reach out to us at azheat@azdhs.gov.
