Title
City of Phoenix 2025 Heat Response Plan - Citywide
Description
This report presents to the City Council the 2025 update to the City of Phoenix Heat Response Plan, which outlines the programs and services designed to protect residents and visitors from heat-related illness, death, and other severe health consequences resulting from both indoor and outdoor heat exposure. The plan includes critical actions to enhance Phoenix’s heat response efforts, focusing on public health and safety.
Staff are seeking approval of the 2025 Heat Response Plan and requesting authorization to proceed with four related items:
1. Authorization to Lease Real Property Located at 20 W. Jackson Street from Sunrise Equities, LLC.
2. Authorization to Enter into Contract with Community Bridges, Inc. for Heat Related Respite Operator and Supportive Services.
3. Retroactive Authorization to Amend and Extend the Term of Intergovernmental Agreement 160361 with Maricopa County Department of Public Health.
4. Agreement with Community Bridges, Inc., for Police Security Services at the 24/7 Heat Respite Center.
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
Extreme Heat and Public Health
Each year, the City of Phoenix implements a comprehensive Heat Response Plan to address the significant public health impacts of extreme heat. In 2024, there were 602 confirmed deaths in Maricopa County, down from 645 in 2023, despite record-breaking summer heat. Known risk factors for heat-related deaths in Phoenix include substance use, homelessness, and non-functioning air conditioning. In addition to fatalities, extreme heat leads to thousands of medical incidents requiring emergency response and exacerbates both physical and mental health challenges. A robust response is essential to address the impact of extreme heat on the community.
Enhanced Heat Response Efforts in 2024
Several key milestones were achieved in 2024. These included the opening of Phoenix’s first 24/7 heat respite and navigation center at the Burton Barr Library former Cafe space, the only location to offer 24/7 heat relief services in Arizona. Phoenix also offered overnight heat respite at the Senior Opportunities West Senior Center and extended cooling center hours at Harmon, Cholla, and Yucca Libraries. These efforts were coordinated by a cross-departmental HeatReady Unified Command Team and involved partnerships with several City departments, Community Bridges, Inc., Terros Health, and Arizona State University Nursing. The HeatReady Unified Command Team oversaw operations of the extended hour respite sites and cooling centers, ensuring coordination across departments, behavioral health, medical services, and communications. Weekly reports tracked operational status and community impact.
The 2024 heat season set multiple records, including 70 days above 110°F, 39 nights above 90°F, and 113 consecutive days over 100°F. These unprecedented conditions heightened public health risks and underscored the need for continued heat relief efforts in 2025.
Impact of 2024 Heat Response Programs
The five new extended hour and overnight heat relief locations averaged more than 200 visits per day, cumulating in more than 35,000 visits throughout the heat season. These sites served over 5,000 unique individuals, yielding significant public health benefits. Nearly 900 individuals were placed into housing, shelter, or related services as a result of visiting a Phoenix heat relief location. Despite record-breaking heat, 911 calls for heat-related emergencies decreased by 20 percent, and for the first time in more than a decade, Maricopa County reported a year-over-year reduction in heat-related deaths.
These positive outcomes, along with operational data from the 2024 season, informed updates to the citywide 2025 Heat Response Plan (Attachment A). Key insights shaping the 2025 plan include a continued focus on high-need areas like downtown Phoenix and the I-17 corridor, and the importance of pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit access. More than 70 percent of visitors walked or biked to sites last year. Prioritizing services for individuals experiencing homelessness is also a top priority, as they comprised 91 percent of visits to heat relief locations. These insights emerged from a comprehensive after-action review coordinated by the Office of Emergency Management at the end of the 2024 heat season. The summary after-action report is included as Attachment B. Findings from the after-action report and ongoing data analysis are guiding Phoenix’s approach to effective and accessible heat relief in 2025.
Heat Response Plan Updates for 2025
The 2025 plan builds on 2024’s lessons, with expanded services, data-driven adjustments, and stronger partnerships, ensuring enhanced coordination, accessibility, and outreach to protect residents during extreme heat events. Key updates to improve heat relief services include:
- Continued 24/7 Heat Respite Location: Once again, the City will operate a 24/7 heat respite and navigation center. This center is proposed for 20 W. Jackson Street, providing greater capacity, accessibility, and proximity to public transit. Burton Barr Library and the Senior Opportunities West Senior Center will remain in their traditional roles as cooling and hydration centers during normal operating hours.
- Full Library Services at Extended Hour Cooling Centers: Cholla, Harmon, and Yucca Libraries will again function as cooling centers and will now offer full library services until 10 p.m. daily, with navigation services provided by Community Bridges, Inc. during extended hours. This change will enable visitors during extended hours access to all services and enhance general community access.
- Employee Education: New content in the online training platform PHXYou will increase City of Phoenix employee awareness of heat safety programs and resources available to the public.
Budget Impact
In 2024, the total cost for enhanced services was $3,809,644, funded through General Funds, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, and the Arizona Department of Housing funds. The 2025 estimated need for the operation of the 24/7 Heat Respite and three Extended Hour Cooling Center sites is $4,944,000, funded through ARPA, Opioid Settlement, and Maricopa County Department of Public Health funds.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
- On October 12, 2021, City Council approved the Phoenix Climate Action Plan.
- On March 2, 2022, City Council adopted the 2021 Maricopa County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
- On February 21, 2024, City Council approved Arizona Department of Housing Grant Funding (Ordinance S-50603).
- On February 27, 2024, City Council reviewed the 2024 Heat Response Plan.
- On March 20, 2024, City Council approved IGA with Maricopa County (Ordinance S-50701).
- On March 20, 2024, City Council approved amendments to Emergency Shelter/Heat Related Respite Operator and Supportive Services Qualified Vendor List and authorized use of the QVL to contract with Community Bridges, Inc. (Ordinance S-50706).
- On March 29, 2022, City Council adopted Phoenix's citywide Heat Response Plan.
- On June 26, 2024, City Council approved amendment to IGA with Maricopa County (Ordinance S-51114).
- On October 30, 2024, City Council approved retroactive agreement with Community Bridges, Inc. for security services (Ordinance S-51378).
- On November 13, 2024, City Council approved reallocation of $650,000 ARPA funding to support 2025 overnight summer heat respite services.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Managers Lori Bays and Inger Erickson, Deputy City Manager Gina Montes, the Phoenix Fire Department and the Offices of Emergency Management, Heat Response and Mitigation, Homeless Solutions and Public Health.