Item 4. Staff Presentation — original pdf

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Extreme Heat Citywide efforts to support vulnerable residents during extreme heat this summer. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION July 6, 2026 Outline 01 Heat Resilience Playbook 02 Emergency Management 03 Public Health 04 Homeless Strategies and Operations 05 Questions & Comments 2 CITY OF AUSTIN Heat Resilience Playbook Extreme Heat Impacts Our: AUSTIN’S HEAT EQUITY When there are major heat events, our residents who are most vulnerable feel it the worst. While all of Austin is expected to experience increases in extreme heat, not all residents face the same impacts. People with the least amount of resources or who spend time outdoors are most at risk — including outdoor workers, infants, elderly, incarcerated people, individuals experiencing homelessness, low-income communities, and people with chronic or mental illness. Heat Resilience Playbook Why have it? What is it? Temperatures are rising Council is asking for it The Community wants to know The City and local agencies are doing a lot! Heat Resilience Playbook identifies neighborhood-based and citywide projects, programs, and policies that combat extreme heat. This Playbook seeks to uplift existing City & agency-led heat resilience efforts Let’s communicate the strategies currently underway It’s not a plan No budget or timeline Who We Worked With ● Austin Bergstrom International Airport ● Austin Energy ● Austin Parks & Recreation ● Austin Planning ● Austin Public Health ● Austin Emergency Management ● Austin Public Libraries ● Austin Energy Green Building ● Austin Water ● Austin Homeless Strategies ● Austin Watershed Protection & Operations ● Austin Housing ● Austin Human Resources ● CapMetro ● Travis County Steps 01 02 03 04 Reviewed national & internal best practices Assessed how city, and agencies, compare to best practices. Identified 70+ strategies COA+ currently pursuing Reviewed findings with staff & drafted/ refined strategies Assembled strategies into report Austin’s Heat Resilience Playbook is Composed of 3 Pillars, Divided into 13 Strategies and 56 Actions 1.1 Heat Risk and Mitigation Communications 1.2 Enhanced Outreach During Extreme Heat 2.1 Cool Homes 3.1 Cool Buildings 2.2 Cool Community Spaces 3.2 Tree Planting and Maintenance 2.3 Outdoor Cool Oases 3.3 Parks and Green Space 1.3 Safety Measures and Policies 2.4 Cool Connections 3.4 Resilient Energy System 1.4 Data and Evaluation 3.5 Heat Resilience Planning Recent Projects Work with national and international cities Philanthropy grant funding for projects 10 Austin Emergency Management Director Jim Redick USDA https://makingtoughchoices.org/ Art by Alece Birnbach Austin Public Health Ana Urueta, Emergency Manager Heat Surveillance Austin Public Health tracks and monitors the impact of heat-related illness and death during peak heat season • May-Oct​ • Travis, Hays and Williamson counties​ Track emergency department visits, mortality data and EMS calls related to heat​ Heat-related illnesses can include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, fainting, heat cramps, and dehydration ​ • All persons regardless of age, sex, or health status, are at risk for a heat- related illness​ 21 ​ ​ Keep Austin Cool Day – Pilot Yearly Event Survey Administration Cooling Center Assessment (2026) The survey will assess: • Awareness of center locations and services • Past utilization during extreme heat events • Factors influencing whether community members choose to use centers • Barriers to access • Suggestions for improvement 23 Heat Street Outreach C40 Grant Survey people experiencing homelessness ($25 gift card) and implement a cooling strategy Partners ▪ Urban Alchemy (contract not renewed) ▪ Sunrise Day Center ▪ Austin Public Health ▪ Homeless Strategy Office ▪ Climate Action & Resilience Survey Results Desires for cooling center services: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ 19% Water Access 12% Meals 12% Hygiene Kits 9% Ice 7% Fans Preferred resources provided: 38% Frozen Water Bottles 32% Ice 32% Cooling Towels 23% Fans 18% Water Bottles with Filters ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ On hot days: ▪ ▪ 30% of respondents reported accessing a cooling center, 11% reported utilizing the AC on busses. Where people got their drinking water from ▪ 60% from existing resource centers ▪ 19% from outdoor public fountains (supports funding for public fountains), 15% stores/restaurants (supports opportunities for partnerships). ▪ How people typically receive information about weather and heat events. ▪ ▪ 42% word of mouth 30% phone alerts Second Phase: Street Outreach • Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center • Pilot outreach • Teams of 2-4 people • Provide water & resources • Upcoming dates • July 10 • July 20 • August 21 June 30th 26 Austin Homeless Strategies & Operations Chris Anderson, Deputy Director HSO Resources and Alerts • HSO monitors the weather, and coordinates with AEM on alerts for dangerous heat days • HSO provides bottles of water, for the community street outreach teams, to take to camps on a daily basis • HSO works with the SOW Community Hub (previous Oasis) to provide a place of respite with water, shade and fans • ARCH is serving as a cooling center 7 days a week, 8 a.m. 8 p.m. 28 Additional Resources • All Recreation Centers, Libraries and Cultural Arts Centers serve as cooling centers for those experiencing homelessness (during regular operational hours) • Trinity Center has expanded hours until 7 p.m. M-Thu. Provides inside cool area, water, showers, and other resources. 29 Thank you. AustinTexas.gov/climate Facebook.com/AustinSustainability YourEmail@AustinTexas.gov