KJZZ: Intense summer heat will be here soon. And organizations across Maricopa County are preparing to launch seasonal heat relief services Friday.
The Maricopa Association of Governments Heat Relief Network runs May 1 through Sept. 30. More than 100 agencies and organizations across the Valley participated in the Heat Relief Network last year to provide free water at hydration stations and free access to air conditioned spaces at cooling and respite centers.
Once again this summer, 211 Arizona will serve as an operating service for the Heat Relief Network to connect callers to their nearest heat relief site.
Tara Bingdazzo with Solari Crisis and Human Services, the organization that runs 211 Arizona, said most heat-related calls come from older adults or people experiencing homelessness.
“They are either in their home and it’s too hot for them to remain there, or they are out on the streets and they need to go to a cooling center, then 211 provides free transportation to those cooling centers and free transportation back at the end of the day,” Bingdazzo said.
Maricopa County Department of Public Health, APS, SRP and Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona are providing funding for 211 to pay for Lyft rides for callers needing transportation to cooling centers.
211 answered more than 16,000 heat-related calls last year and provided more than 8,000 rides for heat relief.
Bingdazzo noted that many people who get connected to cooling centers through 211 also go on to receive other forms of assistance.
“These services not only give them respite from the heat, but some of our cooling centers have case management available there to help them get connected to some of their other needs, food, clothing, vocational rehab services,” Bingdazzo said.
211 can also connect callers with providers who can assist with housing, utility bills, weatherization and other needs. The statewide live operator service takes calls 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.