In the United States, extreme hot weather events account for more deaths per year on average than any other life-threatening extreme weather condition. The trends toward a growing older population and a warmer climate both will act to increase the risk posed by extreme heat events in the future. On the other hand, adaptive measures and technologies seem to be lessening the adverse impacts associated with these events. The latter is a trend that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to encourage and, if possible, accelerate.

There are straightforward and cost-effective steps that can be taken at the local level to save lives today and into the future. EPA is constructing a generalized guide intended to give local officials a leg-up in formulating a response plan that will work effectively for their city. The guide will invite an exploration of the intersections between at-risk populations, “best practice” intervention measures, and local agencies, services, and organizations that are commonly in place. What happens within an urban area when a heat watch or warning is called? Although the answer to that question will be unique to specific cities, local officials should not have to approach this question with an empty slate.