Our Partners at the American Red Cross are Keeping Communities Safe this Summer

We are thrilled to have Edgar Olivo as our guest blogger today, to talk about how to protect our communities this summer and beyond. 

How do we ensure the safety and well-being of our communities during extreme heat events? Extreme heat is the leading weather-related hazard in the United States. According to the National Weather Service, heat causes more deaths each year than any other weather event. Last summer, Maricopa County experienced a staggering 645 heat-related deaths, the highest ever recorded in Arizona. This concerning trend is expected to persist, with the frequency and severity of extreme heat events projected to increase due to the intensity and frequency of climate change.

So how do we protect our vulnerable populations from the dangers of extreme heat when excessive heat warnings seem to happen almost daily during the summer?

Community Collaboration:

The American Red Cross is proud to collaborate with incredible partners who lead this effort, including the Arizona Department of Health Services, the State of Arizona’s Chief Heat Office and staff, Maricopa County Public Health, City of Phoenix Heat Office, Maricopa Association of Governments, and many more local and tribal organizations. Together, we align messaging, share resources, and train volunteers to bolster our community’s resilience against extreme heat.

In June, we had an incredible turnout of dedicated volunteers, including board members, employees, nursing students from Alverno College, and local community members. Together, we canvassed around two hundred homes, spreading vital heat safety information to some of our most vulnerable residents in the City of Tolleson.

We deeply appreciate the support from the City of Tolleson and our state, county, and local partners who are doing outstanding work in extreme heat relief. This collaboration has not only made our community safer but also highlighted the strength and resilience of our partnerships.

Strategic Outreach:

Our initiative to distribute 125,000 door hangers across high-risk areas in Arizona this summer aims to raise awareness about the dangers of extreme heat and connect our communities to crucial local resources to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths. Importantly, our aim is to support and complement existing local heat relief efforts like the “211” hotline and the Heat Relief Networks in our region.

The Red Cross’ Heat Relief Canvass Strategy:

• Doorstep Conversations: Volunteers engage with residents to raise awareness of heat safety measures and distribute door hangers containing valuable resources.
• Focus on High-Risk Areas: Outreach efforts target neighborhoods identified as high-risk using extreme heat vulnerability maps.
• Community Engagement: We provide guides and resources for volunteers, ensuring effective and safe canvassing.

Public Involvement: 

We invite you to join us in making a difference. Volunteer to help us canvass neighborhoods, support existing cooling centers, distribute life-saving materials, and engage with community members. Your support is crucial in preventing heat-related deaths and building resilient communities. Check on your neighbor. Give a door hanger.  

Together, we can ensure no one faces the dangers of extreme heat alone. Let’s continue this great work and push towards our goal of zero heat-related deaths one summer at a time.