Arizona clinics gain heat safety tools
Adrik Vargas
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Americares, Mission of Mercy, and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) are teaming up to help clinics keep patients safe from extreme heat.
The new “Climate Resilience for Frontline Clinics Toolkit” offers more than 40 free resources in English and Spanish. The materials include patient handouts, emergency plans, and online tools to help clinics create heat-health and wildfire action plans.
“The resources are already making a difference by offering immediate relief and equipping families with tools to stay safe in the extreme heat,” said Paula Carvalho with Mission of Mercy Arizona.
Clinics, like Mission of Mercy Arizona, used the toolkit this summer to provide cooling stations, hydration supplies, and educational materials to hundreds of patients during high heat days.
Health officials say it is always a good time to think about heat preparedness in Arizona.
“This year, we hit our first 90 degree day in February and our first triple digit day in April, which is outside of our normal heat season. Hot days are not limited to May through September,” said Dr. Eugene Livar with ADHS.
For more information on the toolkit, click here.