Adapting to Extreme Heat: A Structured Toolkit for Establishing Safe and Effective Cooling Centers

Adapting to Extreme Heat: A Structured Toolkit for Establishing Safe and Effective
Cooling Centers

Royani Saha 1 , Julie Robinson 2 , Mona Arora 1

1 Community, Environment & Policy Department, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public
Health, University of Arizona.
2 Pima County Health Department

Extreme heat events pose significant health risks particularly to vulnerable populations such as
the elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. Cooling centers serve
as an essential public health intervention which provides safe, air-conditioned environments to
prevent heat-related illnesses and also offer refuge for individuals at risk. Pima County Health
Department operates a robust heat relief response that includes over 30 cooling centers supported
by community partners such as libraries and community centers. Recognizing the wide array of
cooling center practices, services, and facilities, the PCHD and University of Arizona researchers
collaborated to identify standard operating procedures and best practices for cooling center
operations. A preliminary literature and web search on cooling center guidelines revealed limited
protocols and standardized operational guidelines for community facilities. Our content analysis
of publicly available heat action plans, government websites, and literature reviews identified
limited information relating to cooling center operations including guidelines on topics such as
infection prevention and addressing needs of individuals with access and functional needs
(AFN).
To address these gaps, a structured toolkit was developed to provide cooling center partners with
best practices and recommendations for establishing effective cooling centers that meet health
and safety standards for vulnerable populations. The toolkit covers essential aspects of cooling
center management and provides checklists and templates to guide community partners in
organizing their facility to provide heat relief. Topics include the definition and importance of
cooling centers, facility preparation, health and safety protocols, staff training, strategies for
Access and Functional Needs (AFN) communities, creating engaging environments, policies for
pets, and management frameworks.
Key aspects of the toolkit include:
● A detailed facility evaluation checklist addressing accessibility, resources, and safety.
● Guidelines for monitoring heat-related illnesses and maintaining sanitation standards.
● Comprehensive staff training protocols to ensure preparedness.

● Strategies for creating inclusive and engaging environments.
● Clear policies for managing pets within cooling centers.
● An effective management and evaluation framework for continuous improvement.
By implementing these guidelines organizations can create safe, accessible, and comfortable
cooling centers during extreme heat events. Continuous evaluation and feedback mechanisms
can help ensure that these centers maintain high standards and deliver effective services. This
toolkit is a valuable resource for public health officials, community organizations, and
policymakers seeking to strengthen heat relief strategies, particularly in regions like Pima
County and Arizona where extreme heat is a persistent threat to the community.