A conversation with Mayor Kate Gallego

As summer temperatures rise, the City of Phoenix is taking proactive steps to protect residents from extreme heat. The Office of Heat Response and Mitigation leads these efforts year-round, coordinating programs and policies aimed at reducing urban heat and safeguarding public health. This includes tracking heat-related trends, collecting data and partnering with other governments and organizations to exchange strategies and solutions.

Last year, Phoenix saw 113 consecutive days with a daily high of 100 degrees or higher spanning May 27, 2024, to September 16, 2024. And this heat isn’t just hot; it is alarmingly hot.

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health released their 2024 preliminary report which showed there were over 600 reported heat-related deaths in 2024. To learn more, visit their website to view the news release.

To better serve vulnerable populations this summer, Phoenix is expanding access to cooling stations by extending their hours and relocating the main heat relief station from Burton Barr Library to a larger, 24-hour facility on Jackson Street. At local trailheads, volunteers will provide water and warn hikers about the risks of outdoor activity in extreme heat.

In a targeted effort to reduce heat-related fatalities, Phoenix has also partnered with the American Red Cross to reach residents living in mobile or manufactured homes and RVs, groups that account for an estimated 20% of heat-related deaths in Maricopa County. This outreach focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of extreme heat and encouraging preventative measures.

Mayor Kate Gallego joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the city’s heat preparedness among other topics.

In addition, Mayor Gallego and the City of Phoenix opened up pet-friendly cooling stations.

“We heard there were some people particularly experiencing homelessness who weren’t willing to accept services if their pets couldn’t go, particularly dogs,” Mayor Gallego said. “We heard. And so now there’s a place with a dog run that is more purpose-built around this issue. So we hope it takes the feedback and gives us a chance to get people in a safer environment.”