​​​​TEMP-03

Expand Services and Raise Awareness of Heat-Related Risks and Illnesses for Residents of EJ Communities

Measure Summary

Through this measure, the County seeks to provide support to residents for heat-related risks. Actions under this measure focus on improving public outreach regarding health and safety during extreme heat events, establishing more cooling centers in EJ Communities, and encouraging additional participation in the Sacramento Alert Emergency Notification System.​​

Actions

Action TEMP-03-a: The County Department of Health Services will track heat-related illness, hospitalizations, and deaths in order to target education and outreach efforts. Status: Ongoing.


Action TEMP-03-b: Expand partnerships with local governments, non-governmental organizations, churches, and businesses to provide additional cooling centers within EJ Communities, where residents may not have access to air conditioning during periods of extreme heat. Status: Ongoing.


Action TEMP-03-c: Survey EJ Co​mmunities to identify community preferences regarding the appropriate location and accessibility of cooling centers, based on proximity to public transit. Status: Not Started.


Action TEMP-03-d: Improve the resilience of County-owned cooling centers and reduce dependence on diesel generators by installing solar panels, battery storage systems, and microgrids, prioritizing centers in and near EJ communities. StatusNot Started.

​Status of Im​​​ple​​mentation

Sacramento County is an ongoing partner with the National Weather Service as the County’s Operational Area coordinator for emergency response and as one of many Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors working with the National Weather Service to improve the nation’s readiness, responsiveness, and overall resilience against extreme weather, water, and climate events.  

The County Department of Public Health tracks occurrences of heat-related illness and works with other County partners and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to educate vulnerable populations.  

These efforts are supported by the County’s newly formed Department of Homeless Services and Housing and build upon partnerships with organizations like Sacramento Steps Forward.   

The County now opens Weather Respite Centers when triggers are met, supports respite centers with communication specifically targeted to inform vulnerable communities, and reinforces this communication through the utilization of specially trained navigators. Additionally, the Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services (SacOES) works with County, municipal and special district partners to map evacuation zones and routes. These maps, funded in part by grant dollars, are available on an interactive web page with downloadable .pdf versions in multiple languages. SacOES also has a multi-media campaign underway to educate residents about the maps, how to sign up to receive alerts, what the hi-lo siren means, and general disaster preparedness. We are entering conversations with the local Fire Agencies about the feasibility of integrating hi-lo sirens on their vehicles.   

​SacOES has completed a County Evacuation Route Grant and resulting products are hosted online on an interactive map. Sacramento County maintains the Sacramento Ready website​ as the landing page  or emergency preparedness, alerts, and recovery.    


Updated 4/2/25.

​​​​​​Started

The efforts for this measure have started. ​