Managing Extreme Heat through Unified City Action

Ericka Huston, Emergency Manager at City of Chandler, Arizona

Extreme heat may not come with sirens or visible destruction, but it remains the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States. According to the National Weather Service and the CDC, heat claims more lives yearly than hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, or lightning. In Chandler, Arizona, the risk is especially severe. Every summer, lives are lost to heat-related illness—tragic and preventable deaths that disproportionately affect the city’s most vulnerable residents.

Despite its toll, extreme heat is not recognized as a major disaster under the Stafford Act, limiting a community’s ability to access critical federal resources and respond with the urgency of this threat.

Chandler, home to approximately 282,000 residents, sits in the Sonoran Desert, where hotter summers and prolonged heat events have become the norm. The Sonoran Desert has one of the longest heat seasons in North America, often starting in April and extending into October. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F, particularly between June and August. This poses a serious health risk, especially for people without reliable shelter or access to cooling.

Unlike many desert environments that cool quickly after sunset, urban areas like Chandler retain heat overnight. According to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, cooler nights give the body a chance to recover. But when nighttime temperatures remain high, the risk of heat-related illness increases, particularly for older adults, young children, people experiencing homelessness, and individuals with preexisting health conditions.

Chandler Launches Unified Heat Relief Team, Becoming Arizona’s Second City to Adopt Incident Management Model

In response to Arizona’s intensifying summers, the City of Chandler has taken a proactive step to protect its residents. It is now the second city in the state to establish a Heat Relief Unified Team—a coordinated response modeled after the City of Phoenix’s nationally recognized heat relief strategy, which integrates the Incident Command System (ICS).

This initiative marks a shift in how the region approaches extreme heat, not just as a seasonal inconvenience, but as a recurring public health emergency. It became clear that daytime cooling centers alone weren’t enough. Meaningful action meant enhancing and expanding existing resources to more effectively serve the community.

Building on a Proven Framework

In 2023, Phoenix piloted a heat response model that applied ICS principles—commonly used for wildfires, floods, and mass casualty events—to extreme heat. The success of that coordinated, cross-sector approach informed Chandler’s planning process in early 2025.

“Extreme heat doesn’t announce itself with sirens. But it remains our deadliest weather threat. Chandler’s unified response model ensures we treat it with the urgency it demands”

Drawing from that example, Chandler customized the ICS model to fit its structure and launched the Heat Relief Unified Team ahead of the 2025 heat season. The goal was to bring together city departments, nonprofits, and regional partners under a unified response system, enabling rapid coordination and efficient service delivery during dangerous heat events. These planning efforts were designed to ensure that local resources are aligned, scalable, and ready to protect residents when temperatures soar.

A Unified Team with Tactical Precision

The Heat Relief Unified Team uses Incident Action Plans (IAPs) to establish a clear command and control structure. These plans outline operational strategies covering both day and overnight respite centers, cooling facilities, mobile outreach efforts, and emergency shelter resources.

The team operates under a unified command led by Chandler’s Emergency Management and Neighborhood Resources divisions, in close coordination with other city departments, nonprofit partners, and local, county, and state emergency management and public health agencies. This structure enables seamless communication and coordinated action across all parties involved.

Vulnerable Populations in Extreme Heat

Reaching vulnerable populations is central to Chandler’s heat response strategy. The city prioritizes proactive engagement with those most at risk, including individuals experiencing homelessness, older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and anyone without adequate access to cooling.

Mobile outreach teams are deployed to high-risk areas such as parks and transit hubs to provide immediate support and share critical information. These direct, field-level interactions offer lifesaving resources and build trust and long-term relationships rooted in care and community connection.

At the same time, Chandler has expanded access to indoor cooling spaces by organizing a network of both daytime and overnight locations. These facilities offer water, meals, hygiene supplies, and transportation essentials. The strategy reflects a compassionate and structured approach—one that addresses both immediate safety and the broader well-being of residents.

Chandler’s heat response promotes long-term stability by focusing on basic human needs like hydration, rest, nutrition, and a safe environment. When those needs are met, individuals are better positioned to engage with community services, support themselves, and contribute meaningfully to the community.

Data-Driven Response

This initiative is not only strategic but also timely. Arizona continues to see a surge in heat-related health emergencies. In 2024, the Arizona Department of Health Services recorded 5,974 heat-related emergency department visits, with Maricopa County reporting the highest numbers.

Chandler’s Incident Action Plan includes real-time data collection and analysis to ensure the effectiveness of its efforts. This enables the city to adapt its response as conditions evolve and to make informed decisions about future resource planning.

Looking Forward

Chandler’s approach reflects a broader statewide shift. Governor Katie Hobbs’ 2024 Extreme Heat Executive Order called for cross-agency heat coordination and urged local governments to adopt structured, scalable models of response. Chandler’s ICS-based Heat Relief Unified Team is a direct response to that call.

Statewide collaboration continues to grow. Across Arizona, discussion boards, situation reports, and multiagency meetings are fostering stronger partnerships between government entities, nonprofits, and community-based organizations. These efforts ensure that lessons are shared and strategies are aligned as temperatures continue to rise each year.

As record-breaking heat events become more common, Chandler’s Heat Relief Unified Team offers more than just a short-term solution. It is a model for resilience—a replicable framework for how cities can protect their most vulnerable residents, strengthen community networks, and ultimately save lives.