To begin the heat mitigation planning process, the Office of Environmental Initiatives (OEI) sought to identify actions, activities, and observations of how the various departmental staff have responded to extreme heat. Through written responses and in-person interviews, staff shared information on existing programs and gaps in efforts to mitigate and respond to heat.

In the Identifying Strategies for a Cooler Scottsdale study, the ASU team identified three broad goals and a total of 29 suggested strategies for accomplishing these goals. These goals and strategies will be considered for use in developing the city's first Heat Mitigation Plan.

Three Broad Goals from the Identifying Strategies for a Cooler Scottsdale study (ASU)

1. Increase tree canopy, particularly along frequently traveled pedestrian walkways and along the south and west facades of buildings;
2. Reduce the land area of exposed dark asphalt, dark roofs, and other hot surfaces;
3. Improve and increase pedestrian shade amenities through building-integrated and free-standing shade structures, particularly along frequently traveled walkways and in locations that support public transportation.

Cooler Scottsdale Story Map

Bring summer relief for home-bound Scottsdale Seniors in need.

This program serves two equally important functions. First, we serve homebound seniors with heat relief items to help keep them cool during the summer. Second, City of Scottsdale staff and volunteers assess the needs of our vulnerable seniors and help connect to any needed resources. We rely on monetary donations and needed items to make this program possible.

It's hot outside, but did you know Scottsdale is a proud partner of Maricopa's Heat Relief Network? This week on Podsdale, sit down with Andy Passmonick and Ray Gomez from Vista Del Camino Community Center to learn how residents can find some relief from the heat, and the ways Scottsdale supports its vulnerable residents all year round.

Know the Heat Risk Today

The NWS HeatRisk is an experimental color-numeric-based index that provides a forecast risk of heat-related impacts to occur over a 24-hour period. HeatRisk takes into consideration:

• How unusual the heat is for the time of the year
• The duration of the heat including both daytime and nighttime temperatures
• If those temperatures pose an elevated risk of heat-related impacts based on data from the CDC

This index is supplementary to official NWS heat products and is meant to provide risk guidance for those decision makers and heat-sensitive populations who need to take actions at levels that may be below current NWS heat product levels.

Statewide Cooling Centers Map

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), University of Arizona (UA), and Yuma County Public Health Services District developed an interactive map of cooling centers, hydration stations, and collection/donation sites. Users can find locations of:

• Cooling centers
• Hydrations Stations
• Collection/Donation Site

Each location on the map provides the address, hours and contact information.

Stay safe when our state heats up

The Arizona Department of Health Services website includes current heat warnings and alerts, toolkits for older adults and outdoor workers, and heat-related illness information.

The Nature Conservancy

In this video, Aaron Gettel, Epidemiologist at the Maricopa County Department of Public Health covers who is most vulnerable to heat, tips for staying safe during extreme heat days, signs to watch for heat-illness and where you can learn more.

The following organizations have additional content, fact sheets, brochures, videos and downloads related to extreme heat.

Downloads from Maricopa County

Partner Sites