Green Sacramento County

• Continue coordinating with the National Weather Service on delivering robust, multi-lingual education and outreach materials accessible across multiple media forms (e.g., radio, text messaging) to publicize the symptoms and dangers of heat-related illness, where cooling centers are located, how to sign up for Sacramento Alert Emergency Notification System, and practical methods for preventing heat-related illness during periods of high heat.

• The County of Department Public Health should track heat-related illness, hospitalizations, and deaths in order to target education and outreach efforts.

• Expand partnerships with local governments, nongovernment organizations, churches, and businesses to provide additional cooling centers within disadvantaged communities, where households and residents may not have access to air conditioning during periods of extreme heat.

• Survey disadvantaged communities to identify community preferences regarding the appropriate location and accessibility of cooling centers, based on proximity to public transit.​
  

Benefits: Improved outreach regarding safety during extreme heat and establishment of more cooling centers in disadvantaged areas will reduce exposure to heat-related illness. Inclusion in the Sacramento Alert Emergency Notification System informs Sacramento County residents of upcoming heat waves and the locations of cooling centers, which will allow residents to plan for extreme weather.

Timeframe: Near term​