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Home My Public Portal AboutBeat_The_Heat_Round1_PresentationBeat the Heat Richmond Public Meeting Round 1 Community Needs Assessment Beat the Heat Richmond BEAT THE HEAT OVERVIEW BEAT THE HEAT | 2 EXTREME HEAT BASICS EXTREME HEAT IN RICHMOND COMMUNITY FEEDBACK POTENTIAL STRATEGIES AGENDA BEAT THE HEAT | 3 WHAT IS BEAT THE HEAT Purpose: “The goal of the program is to create sustainable, long-term and short-term projects, programs, and educational materials that help residents cope with hot days and the public health impacts associated with the heat.” Duration: 2 Years Program Partners: BEAT THE HEAT | 4 HEAT MANAGEMENT STRATEGY A document to outline short and long-term strategies that the local government and community will use to help residents manage high heat events ●Home Cooling Strategies: household energy efficiency, utility shut-offs, home cooling assistance. ●Public Outreach: cooling centers, heat preparedness education, workshops, community engagement. ●Community Design: a climate-responsive design project with additional goals for tree planting, green infrastructure, cool surfaces, public shading, water access. BEAT THE HEAT | 6 HOW SERIOUS IS EXTREME HEAT? Extreme heat… Is the deadliest weather hazard in the US, responsible for more fatalities than tornadoes, hurricanes, and flooding Increases energy costs and demands, and deteriorates dark roof materials Has a greater impact on populations with increased vulnerability Ex: Outdoor workers, people experiencing homelessness, people with chronic illnesses, low-income communities, young children, communities of color, older adults, pregnant people BEAT THE HEAT | 7 RICHMOND, INDIANA CLIMATE PREDICTIONS URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT BEAT THE HEAT | 9 HEAT WATCH CAMPAIGN ●Monday, August 23rd 2021 ●Data collection times ○6 - 7 am ○3 - 4 pm ○7 - 8 pm ●6 maps created by CAPA Strategies ○3 route maps, 3 city-wide maps 13 Volunteers 6 Routes 34,454 Measurements 91.8° Max Temperature 12.5° Temperature Differential BEAT THE HEAT | 10 RICHMOND HEAT MAPS - AVERAGE BEAT THE HEAT | 11 RICHMOND HEAT MAPS - AVERAGE 1 2 79°F 1 2 77°F BEAT THE HEAT | 12 RICHMOND HEAT MAPS - AVERAGE 1 2 82°F 1 2 84°F BEAT THE HEAT | 13 RICHMOND HEAT MAPS - HIGHLIGHTS https://arcg.is/maOr BEAT THE HEAT | 14 COMMUNITY FEEDBACK: OVERVIEW Public Survey Duration: 11/01/2021 - 1/31/2022 Participants: 247 total (182 Richmond) Purpose: To gather information on how individuals manage high summer temperatures and what community services they utilize or wish they had access to regarding heat Outreach: NIXLE Email, Parks Newsletter, Distribution Through Meals on Wheels, Radio Appearances, Amigos WhatsApp Group, Social Media Posts, Beat the Heat/City Website, Tabling at Farmers Market, Flyers Around Town, Email Outreach Duration: 11/03/2021 - 12/09/2021 Participants: 30 Purpose: To gain insight into different vulnerable populations personal experiences with extreme heat and brainstorm how these individuals would like to see the city address their concerns Completed Focus Groups: ●Government Employees ○7 Participants ●Outdoor Workers ○6 Participants ●Youth (age 14 - 18) ○5 Participants ●Parents/Guardians ○6 Participants ●Older Adults (60+) ○6 Participants Duration: 2/01/2022 - 02/28/22 Participants: 2 Purpose: Served as a pivot from focus groups due to a rise in COVID-19 cases and was a means to gather information similar to that of the focus groups Outreach: Individuals that indicated interest on the survey, Townsend Community Center Focus Groups Interviews BEAT THE HEAT | 15 COMMUNITY INPUT How important do you think high heat is in the community? “Our only source of cooling are fans by fans [sic] placed throughout the house, but we are unable to keep them going for too long because it drives our electric bill up and we can barely afford our electric bill as it is.” 53% of survey respondents believe high heat is at least a moderate threat to their personal health “It’s (heat) something I think about all of the time and there are times when me and my daughters will get into the car and go for a ride because it’s much cooler in the car with the air conditioning on than it is in the house.” 43% of survey respondents have experienced heat exhaustion 67%53%40%37% Tree Planting Gardens and Green Space Cool Roofs Parks These things can bring down temperatures in your neighborhood. Which might you like to see more of close to home? 1 in 3 people that took the survey experience a barrier to using their home cooling system Top Two Barriers of Home Cooling Cost of Bills Cost of Repairs BEAT THE HEAT | 16 RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES Tree Planting and Increased Access to Green Space Shade Cover and Cooling Amenities Household Cooling Assistance Heat Wave Alerts and Check-Ins Extreme Heat Preparedness Education More Accessible and Appealing Cooling Spaces PREPAREDNESSMITIGATIONCooler Surfaces BEAT THE HEAT | 17 RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES Extreme Heat Preparedness Education The CDC explains, “By knowing who is at risk and what prevention measures to take, heat-related illness and death can be prevented.” Q8: How familiar are you with the symptoms and risk factors associated with heat-related illness? COMMUNITY THOUGHTS About 20% of survey respondents said a Heat Illness awareness campaign would help them manage high temperatures POTENTIAL ACTIONS ●Awareness campaign (print media, social media, etc.) about heat illness ●Education sessions with vulnerable populations and emergency personnel ●Centralized website/webpage that contains weather preparedness information QUESTION Would you find it beneficial to receive educational information about heat-preparedness? BEAT THE HEAT | 18 RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES Tree Planting and Increased Access to Green Space Tree Planting and Increased Access to Green SpaceHousehold Cooling Assistance 20% of survey respondents answered that household cooling assistance would improve their quality of life around heat-related issues COMMUNITY THOUGHTS POTENTIAL ACTIONS ●Connect residents to existing home cooling programs through education and awareness ●Explore utility shut-off potential during hot weather ●Develop a program to support HVAC repairs or providing window units Of the 33% of survey respondents that face a limitation to using their cooling system when hot, 88% cited the cost of bills as the reason why Q12: On very hot days, are you more likely to stay in your home or go somewhere else to stay cool?Stay Home 93% Go Elsewhere 7% BEAT THE HEAT | 19 RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES More Accessible and Appealing Cooling Spaces The New York State Dept. of Health cites that, “During hot weather, particularly during multiple days of constant heat, spending at least a few hours in air conditioning each day can help reduce the risk of heat-related illness.” Q25: Which of these activities might convince you to leave your home to stay cool when it is very hot outside? COMMUNITY THOUGHTS POTENTIAL ACTIONS ●Increase messaging surrounding existing cooling centers ●Make existing cooling centers more accessible to the most vulnerable populations ●Provide public activities at cooling centers QUESTION What would convince you to go to a cooling center? BEAT THE HEAT | 20 RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES Tree Planting and Increased Access to Green Space Tree Planting and Increased Access to Green SpaceHeat Wave Alerts and Check-Ins “Even though some of our neighbors are aware of our issues, we never have anyone check in on us to see if we are ok or offer to take us somewhere to help cool off…” Q31: When the weather is very hot, how likely are you to check on a neighbor who lives alone? COMMUNITY THOUGHTS POTENTIAL ACTIONS ●Send out weather alerts when a heat wave is incoming ●Create a program that connects volunteers with individuals that sign up to be checked in on during heat waves ●Provide residents with information to enable them to check on individuals in their network QUESTIONS Think of someone in your life that might to vulnerable to extreme heat. Would they benefit from a check-in? Would this be best over phone, virtual, or in-person BEAT THE HEAT | 21 RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES Tree Planting and Increased Access to Green Space Q22: These things can help bring temperatures down in your neighborhood. Which might you like to see more of close to your home? 35% of survey respondents answered that either tree planting or better access to green space would improve their quality of life around heat-related issues According to the US EPA, “Shaded surfaces, for example, may be 20–45°F (11–25°C) cooler than the peak temperatures of unshaded materials.” COMMUNITY THOUGHTS POTENTIAL ACTIONS ●Create a volunteer “tree tenders” program ●Increase tree planting in public spaces - identified by temperature mapping ●Give trees away for property owners to plant on their own QUESTION General thoughts on improving tree plantings around the city and/or on your property on your own? BEAT THE HEAT | 22 RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES Q22: These things can help bring temperatures down in your neighborhood. Which might you like to see more of close to your home? COMMUNITY THOUGHTS POTENTIAL ACTIONS ●Providing information to homeowners/business owners about the benefits of cool surfaces (parking lots, roofs, etc.) ●Incentivise cool pavements through building standards ●Community interaction/bump out painting QUESTIONS Have you ever considered a cool roof? Why or why not? How do you feel about painted intersections? Shade Cover and Cooling AmenitiesCooler Surfaces BEAT THE HEAT | 23 RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES COMMUNITY THOUGHTS POTENTIAL ACTIONS QUESTIONS What types of cooling amenities would you like to see more of in Richmond? Where would you like to see them? Shade Cover and Cooling Amenities ●Providing more shade in popular public spaces ●Provide more access to drinking water in popular public spaces “...having more things to do outside with kids when it's hot (splashpad, community areas with misting fans and shade, etc.) would be nice for me. “ 26% of survey respondents said increased water accessibility, either for drinking or recreational purposes, would improve their quality of life around heat-related issues BEAT THE HEAT | 24 Are there any additional thoughts or questions? PUBLIC MEETINGS Goal of the meetings: To share a summary of the Community Needs Assessment results, obtain public opinion on the example strategies, and gain insight into what residents want to be included in the Heat Management Strategy Round 1: Presentation of Community Needs In-person session: March 23, 7 - 8 pm Richmond Municipal Building Council Chambers Virtual session: March 29, 6 - 7 pm Via Zoom Round 2: Presentation of Draft Strategy In-person session: April 19, 7 - 8 pm Richmond Municipal Building Council Chambers Virtual session: April 25, 6 - 7 pm Via Zoom Beat the Heat Richmond Public Meeting - Round 1 Lucy Mellen | lmellen@richmondindiana.gov BEAT THE HEAT | 27 CITATIONS CDC. (n.d.). Heat stress: Hydration. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/works/pdfs/2017-126.pdf CDC. (n.d.). Picture of america heat-related illness fact sheet. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/pictureofamerica/pdfs/Picture_of_America_Heat-Related_Illness.pdf Department of Health. Frequently Asked Questions About Cooling Centers. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/weather/cooling/ccfaq.htm Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Using Trees and Vegetation to Reduce Heat Islands. EPA. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-trees-and-vegetation-reduce-heat-islands Toloo, G., FitzGerald, G., Aitken, P., Verrall, K., & Tong, S. (2013). Are heat warning systems effective? Environmental Health, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069x-12-27