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HomeMy Public PortalAboutRichmond Heat Management Plan-May 2023COOLING OUR COMMUNITY City of Richmond Heat Management Plan Spring 2023 The City of Richmond’s Heat Relief Coordinator, Lucy Mellen, would like to acknowledge and thank all of the individuals that aided in the creation of this plan. Individuals and groups that played a role in the research and creation of this document include: Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Insititute Beat the Heat Team Members Dr. Dana Habeeb, Beat the Heat Principal Investigator Matt Flaherty, Implementation Manager Liv Davis, Extreme Heat Coordinator Zach Richardson, Resilience Analyst City of Richmond Department of Infrastructure and Development Ian Vanness, Director of Infrastructure and Development Grayson Hart, GIS Coordinator Wayne County Emergency Management Agency Matthew Cain, Director Richmond’s Heat Relief Task Force Dr. Charlie Peck, Earlham College Pam Zelaya, Richmond Community Schools Susan Isaacs, Wayne Township Trustee Anna Osborn-Brown, Reid Health Christine Stinson, Wayne County Health Department Angela McDaniel, Wayne County Health Department Bill Engle, City Council Izzi Waterman, Parks and Recreation Department Pavel Polanco-Safadit, Amigos Latino Center Mary Stephens, Richmond Power & Light Whitney May, Hope House Beth Evans, Lifestream Services Matt Evans, Wayne County Alison Zajdel, Environmental Sustainability Commission Town of Clarksville Bronte Murrell, Heat Relief Coordinator Heat Vulnerability Comment Survey Respondents Focus Group Participants Richmond’s Beat the Heat iniative is funded by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and supplemental funding for the Heat Watch Campaign was provided by Reid Health. Heat Watch Campaign Volunteers Margaret Lechner Susy Hasecoster Patti Peterson Teri Grossman Gwen Halsted Benjamin Guard Tom Ferkinhoff Guy Gutherie Alisa Clapp-Itnyre Ron Itnyre Stuart Milligan ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In the United States, extreme heat causes more fatalities than any other weather-related hazard. The threat posed by hot weather is only anticipated to worsen, with the ten hottest years on record occurring in the past two decades. As a consequence, the public health threats that accompany increased temperatures will also worsen. Richmond’s most vulnerable residents will feel this burden more heavily, compounding issues these individuals and communities are already dealing with. With the creation of Richmond’s first Heat Management Plan, the City is acknowledging and addressing the impending risk of increased temperatures in order to build a more resilient community. In addition to this plan, other City plans share similar goals of increasing environmental sustainability, supporting our most vulnerable residents, and engaging with the community over emergency preparedness. This plan was completed as part of the Beat the Heat program, a two-year, grant-funded initiative aimed at combating the public health impacts of extreme summer heat in Richmond. The program funded the salary of a full-time Heat Relief Coordinator and was supported by Richmond’s Department of Infrastructure and Development and Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI). The grant for Beat the Heat was developed by ERI and funded by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The program ran from May 2021 to Februrary 2023 and is sequenced in five phases, which build on each other. The goal of the Beat the Heat program was to understand how the Richmond community was presently burdened by extreme heat and develop and implement a plan to alleviate those burdens. The Heat Management Plan serves to organize and prioritize these efforts and can help inform future City plans and initiatives. These heat management strategies are organized into four categories. The Heat Wave Response Protocol is the first category, which outlines strategies that can be implemented when a heatwave is imminent to provide more immediate relief to the community. The other three sections—Public Outreach, Home Cooling, and Climate Responsive Design—include longer-range strategies to increase awareness and limit the risk and exposure to dangerous heat. The plan provides context for the heat management strategies with information about the Beat the Heat program, the risks posed by extreme heat, urban heat islands, projected temperature increases in Richmond, and resident awareness and management of extreme heat risk. The Heat Management Plan strategies were limited to the two-year timeframe of Beat the Heat and thus relied on the Heat Relief Coordinator for their implementation. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 4 Tables and Figures 5 Beat the Heat Overview 6 Program Objectives Program Timeline Heat Relief Task Force Extreme Heat: Why it Matters 8 What Causes Extreme Heat Connections to City Plans 10 Community Needs Assessment 11 Heat Mapping Campaign Heat Vulnerability Index Community Feedback Heat Management Plan 21 A. Heat Wave Response Protocol B. Public Outreach C. Home Cooling D. Climate Responsive Design Implementation and Next Steps 43 Appendix A. Actions Table 45 Appendix B. Glossary 48 Appendix C. References 50 TABLE OF CONTENTS Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 5 Figures 1. Beat the Heat Program Timeline 6 2. City of Richmond Heat Relief Task Force 7 3. Current and Projected Extreme Heat Events 9 4. Profile of the Heat Island Effect 9 5. Heat Watch Campaign Volunteers on August 23, 2021 11 6. Richmond Heat Vulnerability Index 14 7. Sociodemographic Variables That Went into the Heat Vulnerability Index 15 8. Focus Group Summaries 18 9. Cooling Strategies and Their Co-Benefits 38 10. A Green Infrastructure Bioswale in Downtown 40 11. Shade Sails in Jack Elstro Plaza 40 12. A Bus Stop Shelter and Bike Rack on East Main Street 40 Tables 1. Community Feedback Summary Table 19 2. Recommended Strategies with Detailed Community Feedback 20 3. Heat Wave Response Protocol Strategies 27 4. Public Outreach Strategies 32 5. Home Cooling Strategies 36 6. Climate Responsive Design Strategies 42 7. Anticipated Strategies Timeline 43 Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 6 Program Objectives Beat the Heat was a local government initiative led by Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute and funded by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural (OCRA) affairs. Beat the Heat was a two-year-long program running from May 2021 to February 2023, in both Richmond and Clarksville, Indiana. Thanks to generous support from OCRA, the two communities were able to hire full-time Heat Relief Coordinators who were the primary local organizers for the Beat the Heat program. The purpose of the program was to assist communities in developing tangible, long-term, and sustainable strategies to help residents manage the stress and health risks posed by an increasing number of hot days. The program was organized in five phases: Program Launch, Community Needs Assessment, Heat Relief Strategy Development, Strategy Implementation, and Continuity Planning/Program Evaluation. This Heat Management Plan is the culmination of the first three phases and will be implemented in Phase 4 and beyond. Program Timeline Figure 1: Beat the Heat Program Timelines BEAT THE HEAT OVERVIEW Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 7 Heat Relief Task Force Establishing a Heat Relief Task Force was one of the first steps in kicking off the Beat the Heat Program. The goal of the Heat Relief Task Force was to make the Beat the Heat programming and outreach efforts as inclusive as possible. The Task Force assisted the Heat Relief Coordinator in outreach, development of program materials, project implementation, and other programmatic needs. The Task Force consisted of community stakeholders from county and city government, health, energy, and education sectors, and other Richmond residents. Additional stakeholders were regularly contacted and recruited for participation in the Task Force. Figure 2 depicts Task Force membership as of June 2022. Figure 2: City of Richmond Heat Relief Task Force Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 8 WHY HEAT MATTERSExtreme Heat Has Impacts On... Health • Extreme heat is responsible for more deaths in the U.S. in an average year than any other weather-related Hazard.1 • Higher temperatures are linked to a greater instance of respiratory health problems. 2 Economy • Heatwaves can cause blackouts of the energy grid due to the increased demand for energy, which may leave individuals unable to power air conditioners, medical equipment, and other essentials3 • Extreme heat causes economic losses through lost work hours, increased energy costs, and stress on infrastructure like roads, bridges, and railroad tracks.4 Environment • Increased temperatures worsen air quality by increasing the formation of smog, especially in urban settings.5 • Heatwaves can exacerbate wildfire risk and drought, leading to further health, economic, and environmental harm.6 Who’s at Risk? The impacts of extreme heat are not universally felt, posing greater risks to some demographic groups. Outdoor Workers Individuals that work outdoors have a greater risk of heat-related illness due to prolonged exposure to heat and ozone air pollution.7 Older Adults Older adults are often more vulnerable to extreme heat because they may have a reduced ability to sweat or may be on medications that impact temperature regulation. Older adults also have a more difficult time regulating their body temperature during sudden temperature changes. 8 Young Children Young children are more susceptible to extreme heat due to their small size, more rapid breath rates associated with body size, dependency on adults for caretaking, and their still developing respiratory systems, which can be impacted by smog.9 People with Chronic Illnesses People with chronic health conditions may be more vulnerable to extreme heat due to taking medications that make the effects of extreme heat worse or because their conditions are risk factors for heat-related illness.10 People Experiencing Homelessness People experiencing homelessness are often at a greater risk of heat-related illness due to prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures and less access to resources and cooling spaces during heatwaves. 11 Low-Income Communities People living in low-income communities may have limited access to consistent air conditioning or limited capacity to respond to high heat, which can increase their exposure on hot summer days and nights. 12 Communities of Color Historic housing policies, such as redlining, and other forms of systemic discrimination have resulted in communities of color being disproportionately exposed to higher temperatures and often with fewer resources to manage high heat.13 Pregnant People Several studies have linked high temperatures with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, stillbirth, and low birth weight, as well as congenital heart defects.14 Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 9 WHAT CAUSES EXTREME HEAT? Climate Change While increased instances of extreme heat are not universal across the world, average global temperatures have been increasing annually for decades. According to a global analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), “The 10 warmest years on record have all occurred since 2005, and 7 of the 10 have occurred just since 2014.”15 This warming is primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels. These emissions increase the Earth’s greenhouse effect, which causes greenhouse gas molecules to absorb and radiate heat back into the atmosphere near the earth’s surface, leading to warming temperatures globally. Currently, Richmond experiences 18 extreme heat events per year on average. By the 2050s, this number is projected to increase to between 60 and 74 events per year.16 See figure 3 for more information. Urban Heat Island Effect Urban areas suffer from extreme heat more than their rural landscape counterparts. This is due to the fact that urban areas have more buildings, roads, and built infrastructure than natural and rural areas. These types of infrastructure absorb and emit heat at a much higher rate than natural and rural areas, causing those in the city’s more developed regions to experience temperature differently. Temperature increases in urban areas are caused by the urban heat island effect. In places where green space is limited, the urban heat island effect can make daytime temperatures trend 1-7°F hotter than in outlying areas.17 See figure 4 for more information. Figure 3: Current and Projected Extreme Heat Events Figure 4: Profile of the Heat Island Effect Source: Environmental Protection Agency (2016) Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 10 Richmond Rising: Comprehensive Plan Created in 2019, the Richmond Rising Comprehensive Plan outlines a variety of steps aimed at growing, connecting, protecting, and celebrating Richmond. One focus of the “Protect Richmond” component of the plan is “Protecting Richmond’s Natural Resources,” which includes a series of project recommendations that can achieve that goal. Primary objectives related to the Heat Management Plan include “Encourage the development of citywide sustainability and resiliency strategies in the long term” and “Educate and encourage local residents and organizations on community emergency preparedness.” Parks and Recreation Master Plan The 2020 Parks and Recreation Master Plan aims to promote Parks Department offerings, respond to community needs, invite activity into their spaces, diversify and optimize their resources, and enhance their parks and open space systems. Within these plans, the Parks and Recreation Department has a variety of goals and objectives surrounding aid to vulnerable populations, increasing resiliency initiatives, and maximizing environmental performance through sustainable solutions. These goals align with the actions outlined in the Heat Management Plan. Climate Action Plan The City of Richmond unanimously adopted its Climate Action Plan (CAP) in September of 2022. In development at the same time as this Heat Management Plan, Beat the Heat’s activities influenced the tone of the CAP by heavily emphasizing its climate change adaptation measures and attention to social impacts. The heat and heat vulnerability index maps that inform this plan are featured in the CAP, and serve as a model of the type of public engagement and data-driven planning that need to also occur for other climate-related stressors and risks that the CAP addresses. CONNECTIONS TO CITY PLANS City of Richmond, Indiana Climate Action Plan Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 11 COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT From July 2021 to February 2022, Beat the Heat conducted a Community Needs Assessment. The goal of the Community Needs Assessment was to better understand how the Richmond community is currently impacted by extreme heat. In order to do this, the City conducted a Heat Mapping Campaign with the help of local volunteers. Volunteers collected temperature data which resulted in a series of heat maps of the city. In addition to the maps, Beat the Heat also engaged the Richmond community through a community survey, focus groups, and interviews. Heat Mapping Campaign Figure 5: Heat Watch Campaign Volunteers on August 23, 2021 Campaign Volunteers Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 12 1 1 79° 2 82° While typically lacking trees for shade, agricultural land can provide a significant cooling effect to its area and the land surrounding it Due to containing a decent amount of built infrastructure, residential areas with only sporadic tree cover will still run relatively warm when compared with areas with vast ground and canopy cover. Heat Mapping Campaign Map On August 23, 2021, 13 volunteers drove or biked around the City of Richmond with temperature sensors affixed to their vehicles. The volunteers traversed the city at three separate times throughout the day, collecting data as they drove or biked. Volunteers collected 34,454 temperature measurements throughout the day. These measurements were then sent to CAPA strategies, a data analytics firm that created the campaign, who aggregated the data into heat maps for each collection time (6 - 7 am, 3 - 4 pm, and 7 - 8 pm). The map below depicts an average of all three maps. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 13 2 3 3 77° 4 4 84° The roads and parking lots surrounding Highway 40 absorb heat throughout the day and stay hot into the night. Tree cover and additional vegetation, such as that present in Hayes Arboretum, have a significant impact on heat absorbtion. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 14 Figure 6: Richmond Heat Vulnerability Index Heat Vulnerability Index A Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI) is a metric used to identify areas in a community where people are most vulnerable to heat. HVIs can be used to target heat management strategies for priority areas, guide the development of new policies, and as a communication tool to raise awareness about vulnerability to extreme heat. For the creation of Richmond’s HVI, the ERI team integrated heat sensitivity data and heat exposure data in all census block groups, highlighting three priority groupings (Fig. 6). These priority areas are the locations where people are most at risk to extreme heat. The process used to create the Beat the Heat HVI is based on the Philadelphia Heat Vulnerability Index.18 To identify at-risk areas, the ERI team created a sensitivity score and identified areas with high heat exposure by combining seven sociodemographic variables into one score (Fig. 7). The sociodemographic variables include age (under 5 and over 65), educational attainment, language barrier, poverty, race/ethnicity, and social isolation. These variables were selected based on their association with negative health effects from extreme heat. These variables are sourced from the American Community Survey (2015-2019 5-year average).19 To analyze heat exposure, the ERI team used the near-surface air temperatures from the evening map because nighttime temperatures have a stronger association with negative health effects from extreme heat; the heat island effect is more pronounced in the evening, and the evening hours exhibit the largest temperature differentials between block groups. The team ranked each block group by its sensitivity score and heat exposure and spatially overlaid these two dimensions to identify block groups with high scores in both categories. This process identified three priority areas. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 15 Figure 7: Sociodemographic Variables That Went into the Heat Vulnerability Index Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 16 Community Insights To understand how Richmond residents are currently impacted by extreme heat, Beat the Heat hosted focus groups and a community survey. While having similar goals, the focus groups aimed to generate conversation with vulnerable individuals and communities and the public survey was used to get feedback from the Richmond community as a whole. The following section outlines an overview of the results of the focus groups and the community survey. The section ends with a recommended strategies table that synthesizes all of the feedback data and opinions given by residents and participants. Community Outreach Community outreach for each of the community needs assessment components occurred in various ways. Means of outreach and engagement involved tabling, email outreach, meals on wheels food distribution inserts, word of mouth, social media postings, flyers, letters to the Townsend Community Center after-school participants, and tapping into existing community networks such as the Senior Community Center, the Wayne County 4-H Club, and the Parks and Recreation Department. Challenges While community outreach during the Community Needs Assessment portion of the Beat the Heat program allowed for beneficial data collection and engagement, there were some challenges encountered when doing so. • The Heat Vulnerability Survey was not conducted during a topically relevant time (Fall/Winter). • The COVID-19 pandemic likely impacted in-person outreach opportunities and the desire to participate in focus groups. • The community survey was primarily hosted online, which likely impacted access issues. • Focus Group recruitment happened largely around the holiday season, likely impacting availability and willingness to engage. Importance of Community Outreach Community outreach is vital to the success of Beat the Heat and has been emphasized since the start of the program. The central goal of Beat the Heat is to provide beneficial extreme heat adaptation and mitigation measures that aid in alleviating the public health burden that heat has on vulnerable populations. This is achieved through understanding how the Richmond community is presently positioned to deal with increased temperatures, and what actions may increase and streamline the current response measures. Through the time and effort of generous community members, Beat the Heat was able to establish a baseline for heat response, vulnerability, and preference within the community and has used that feedback to advise the recommended strategies present in this document. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 17 Community Survey 182 individuals in Richmond completed the Heat Vulnerability Comment Survey. In this survey, community members shared their personal experiences with extreme heat and their thoughts on how it should be addressed. The information on this page outlines some of the major themes that the survey highlighted. Additional results are included in the plan wherever they are releveant to the different planned strategies. 43% of survey respondents have experienced heat exhaustion 1 in 3 people that took the survery experience a barrier to using their home cooling system Top two barriers of home cooling Cost of Bills & Cost of Repairs Heat-Related Illness Home Cooling Favored Temperature Reduction Strategies Tree Planting Gardens and Green Space Cool Roofs Parks 67%53%40%37% How important do you think high heat is in the community? Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 18 Focus Groups To elaborate further on the topics addressed in the community survey, Beat the Heat conducted five focus groups with individuals from identified vulnerable populations. Through collaboration with local organizations and groups, the five groups hosted included government employees, outdoor workers, youth aged 14 - 18, older adults aged 60+, and parents/guardians. Group conversations were centered around individuals’ personal experiences with extreme heat and heat-related illness, how participants manage heat, and what strategies they would like to see included in the Heat Management Plan. Figure 8 below depicts a summary of the groups based on the topics addressed. Figure 8: Focus Group Summaries Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 19 Summary Strategies The tables below depict the most popular topics addressed in the community survey, Focus Groups, and interviews. In Table 1, the columns on the left categorize each strategy into the three main Heat Management Plan groups: Community Design, Home Cooling, and Public Outreach. The top rows outline which questions from the survey, focus group or interview the marked response appeared. Numbers represent how many people indicated a preference for the strategy and a checked box signifies that that group or individual mentioned the strategy as a preference. Table 2 depicts more detailed recommendations from the focus groups, interviews, and open- response survey questions from the survey. This feedback helped shape the 24 different strategies outlined in the following pages. Table 1: Community Feedback Summary Table Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 20 Table 2: Recommended Strategies with Detailed Community Feedback Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 21 A. HEAT WAVE RESPONSE PROTOCOL 1. Heat Wave Alerts 2. Public Cooling 3. Vulnerable Population Support Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 22 A. HEAT WAVE RESPONSE PROTOCOL Overview Across the world, heat waves are occurring with greater frequency and intensity. In Richmond specifically, extreme heat events are projected to more than triple by 2050, going from an average of 18 extreme heat events per year to 60 - 74 per year. Because of this, it is imperative that local communities are prepared to act when these extreme heat events are anticipated to occur. Having a Heat Wave Response Protocol will ensure that when Richmond is faced with a Heat Wave, responsible parties are prepared to implement effective and beneficial measures to ensure the health and safety of its residents.20 The following Protocol outlines 9 strategies, all of which will be activated when specific temperature thresholds are reached. Following each summer, the protocol will be evaluated and if necessary, revised to ensure its components are up to date and effective. 1. Heat Wave Alerts The following four strategies under “Heat Wave Alerts” address actions that can be implemented in Richmond when an extreme heat event is anticipated. Strategies A1.a and A1.b focus on alerting the community through the Wayne County Emergency Management hazardous weather alert system, NIXLE, and strategies A1.c and A1.d expand past the NIXLE system to ensure all individuals in the community are made aware of upcoming extreme heat events. A1.a County Heat Alerts Send extreme heat text and email alerts to individuals subscribed to the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency NIXLE messaging system. Subscribers will be notified of Excessive Heat Warnings when heat indexes reach 105° or above and Heat Advisories for heat indexes between 100° and 104°. The feasibility of alerting subscribers to lower index thresholds, such as that produced by special weather statements, will be explored to allow for more information to reach a limited target audience. Context • 37% of survey respondents said cell phone alerts about heatwaves would help them manage high temperatures. • According to researchers in Queensland, Australia, preliminary evidence “supports the notion that HWS (Heat Warning Systems) are effective in reducing heat-related mortality (and potentially morbidity).”21 • The National Weather Service does not currently send SMS, landline, or cell phone alerts when a Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat Watch, or Excessive Heat Warning is active. Anticipated Impact Community members subscribed to the service will receive notifications about impending and current extreme heat events. In addition to heat index information, subscribers will learn of extreme heat events and be connected to local resources. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 23 A1.b Heat Alert Promotion Promote the Wayne County Emergency Management NIXLE Notification System to the Richmond community to encourage individuals to subscribe. Context • Currently, only 6,800 individuals are signed up for the service in the entirety of Wayne County. Since Wayne County has over 66,000 residents, this low subscription rate can likely be in part attributed to a lack of awareness. • The NIXLE service is subscription-based, meaning that individuals need to be aware of it and take action to subscribe to it in order to be notified. Anticipated Impact Community members will be made aware of the NIXLE notification system and encouraged to apply. A1.c Heat Alert Promotion Notify the public and additional stakeholders when heatwave alerts are active through social media and City communication channels. Context • The City of Richmond’s social media has the capacity to reach over 7,000 individuals. Anticipated Impact Community members, both subscribed to NIXLE and not, will be notified through existing communication channels when upcoming extreme heat events are anticipated and will be made aware of local initiatives to deal with the heat. Additionally, City staff who spend time working outdoors will be alerted to hot working conditions. A1.d Local Organization Directory Maintain a directory of local organizations that provide support for vulnerable populations. This will help ensure they are aware of local resources and contacts regarding high summertime temperatures. Context • According to the community survey, all the age groups use different methods to get their information. Helping ensure that heatwave information is spread from a variety of sources will help reach as many people and groups as possible. Anticipated Impact Local organizations that provide support for vulnerable populations will receive alerts about extreme weather, thus ensuring that all local service organizations are aware and prepared. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 24 The strategies in section A2 seek to increase the accessibility of public cooling amenities throughout Richmond. Some actions aim to serve specific vulnerable groups, whereas others can provide cooling to the entire community. A2.a Alternative Cooling Promote existing opportunities for summertime indoor programming and collaborate with local organizations and businesses to expand current indoor programming. Context • When asked about limitations to using public cooling spaces, survey respondents indicated that the two largest barriers were being unaware of existing opportunities and the cost of accessing non- public cooling spaces. By providing information about public spaces with free programming, we will be able to eliminate these barriers. Anticipated Impact Community members will be made aware of existing community locations that provide programming that simultaneously serve as a space that provides public cooling. A2.b Improving Pool Access Explore the possibility of lowering the cost, eliminating, or providing a set number of free day passes to the Cordell Municipal pool to community members during heat waves. Context • Blue Infrastructure is called out in the C40 Cities “Urban Cooling Toolbox” as a beneficial action to alleviate impacts associated with the Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect.22 • 37% of survey respondents said public pools and splash pads would help them manage high temperatures. • Some municipalities have found that outdoor cooling spaces, such as pools and parks, are used more often than indoor cooling centers.23 Anticipated Impact Individuals with barriers to utilizing the Cordell Municipal public pool will be able to access this resource more easily. A2.c Cooling Centers Connect with public and private organizations to identify spaces that are open for the public to use during heatwaves. All cooling center locations will be made into a publicly available list that will cite location addresses, hours, and any limitations. 2. Public Cooling Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 25 3. Vulnerable Population Support Context • According to the CDC, “Studies indicate that spending even a few hours in a cool environment, or with a working air conditioner or cooling unit, reduces vulnerable populations’ risk to heat exposure.”24 • The CDC guide “The Using of Cooling Centers to Prevent Heat-Related Illness” identifies religious organizations, schools, community organizations, and nonprofits as potential key partners in providing cooling centers.25 Anticipated Impact Individuals that want to seek cooling outside of their residence will be able to do so quickly and with ample information. A2.d Cooling Center Transportation Advocate for and explore opportunities to lower or eliminate Roseview Transit bus fees to and from cooling centers during heat wave. Context • According to survey respondents, the second most common barrier to accessing cooling outside of their residence is transportation. • During extreme heat events, spending prolonged periods outside exerting physical effort, such as walking to a cooling center, can exacerbate the public health impacts of heat. Anticipated Impact Individuals wanting to utilize the established Richmond cooling centers will be able to use public transportation to get there. This will promote the use of the spaces and help eliminate the risk posed by traveling to the centers during extreme heat. Actions A3.a and A3.b focus on supporting individuals who are especially vulnerable to heat. These strategies are intended to be implemented when temperature thresholds for the Wayne County NIXLE Alert System are met. A3.a Check-in Program Establish a program that connects vulnerable residents with support through phone or in-person check- in interactions. Context • AARP’s guide entitled “Help Someone Stay Cool During Extreme Heat” outlines the benefit of checking in on individuals more susceptible to heat-related illness and death. In this guide, AARP informs, “You can help prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths by checking on people in your community during periods of extreme heat.” 26 Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 26 • Older adults are the largest defined group at risk for heat-related mortality. 27 Anticipated Impact Vulnerable community members, potentially isolated from existing City communications, will be supported during periods of extreme heat through connection with resources and the broader community. A3.b Cool Kits Partner with local organizations to provide cooling supplies to individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the summer. Supplies may include reusable water bottles, electrolyte tablets, sunscreen, cooling towels, and sunglasses. Context • Recommendations from the CDC for how to keep cool in hot weather include, include drinking ample amounts of water and continually reapplying sunscreen, among other action items. 28 Anticipated Impact People experiencing homelessness in the community will be given valuable cooling materials and supplies during periods of extreme heat. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 27 Table 3: Heat Wave Response Protocol Strategies Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 28 B. PUBLIC OUTREACH 1. Heat Preparedness Trainings 2. Heat Preparedness Campaign Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 29 B. PUBLIC OUTREACH Overview A critical component of preparing for an increase in extreme heat events is knowing what resources are available locally, what to anticipate, and how to react when extreme heat is anticipated. For this reason, it is important that the community have ample opportunity to be made aware of such information. Through the following six public outreach strategies, the Richmond community will be continually engaged both during the summer and beyond, getting health information from local professionals, Richmond-specific resource information, and best practices for getting through the summer safely. 1. Heat Preparedness Training Actions B1.a and B1.b outline two types of workshops that can be facilitated by Beat the Heat and community partners to educate heat-vulnerable groups and the organizations that support them about heat-related illnesses and heat preparedness. If preferred, these trainings can happen in conjunction with one another. B1.a Community Resource Training Host trainings that provide information about community resources for coping with extreme heat to local health professionals, nonprofit employees, and outreach workers. Context • Connecting with individuals that serve vulnerable populations is a beneficial way to reach those populations because it allows information to come from individuals they trust. • Some factors that affect an individual’s risk for a heat-related illness, such as a reduced ability to sweat from certain medical conditions and prescription drugs, can be specific to each individual’s health condition. These nuances are more easily communicated on an individual basis rather than as part of a larger, public health campaign. 29 Anticipated Impact Healthcare and social service providers receive beneficial information about the Beat the Heat program and other local resources which they can share with their clients to help minimize their risk of heat- related illness. B1.b Community Health Training Coordinate with local health professionals to provide trainings for community members about the signs and symptoms associated with heat-related illness. A focus will be placed on training for individuals that are the most vulnerable to extreme heat such as outdoor workers, older adults, and children. Context • New employees are the most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses for outdoor workers as they are acclimating to hot working conditions and learning about heat-preparedness.30 • “Heat-related illness in athletes can be prevented if coaches and athletes are properly educated Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 30 2. Heat Preparedness Campaign In summer 2022, Beat the Heat will run a campaign to improve the community’s awareness about the public health impacts of extreme heat and will provide guidance on how to be better prepared on hot days and nights. In the following years, the strategies and resulting outreach materials can be used and expanded upon to continue educating the community on this topic. B2.a Extreme Weather Information Webpage Create an accessible, centralized webpage where information about extreme heat can be found. Information is anticipated to include a cooling center location map, home cooling assistance programs, hazardous weather conditions anticipated in the coming days/weeks, and best tips for staying cool inside/outside. Context • Providing a centralized location for accessing all heat preparedness information and materials will help streamline and simplify information access. Anticipated Impact Community members are provided with a single, accessible web page that allows them to receive information about weather preparedness. This webpage will streamline and centralize information access. B2.b Extreme Heat Toolkit Create an Extreme Heat Toolkit to include boilerplate heat preparedness information in both English and Spanish that local organizations and departments can share when extreme heat is anticipated. Context • The CDC highlights the importance that one “stay informed” as one of the three major ways to prevent heat-related illness. This will make sure that people have easy access to this information.33 • The CDC, EPA, NWS, OSHA, and NIOSH have a combination of printable materials and social media graphics that are available for local governments, employers, and organizations to share with their communities. Anticipated Impact about heat safety.”31 • Heat-related health dangers for older adults heavily increase during the summer. Knowing which health-related factors may increase risk could save a life.32 Anticipated Impact Vulnerable population groups and individuals are able to learn from local health professionals about the potential impacts of extreme heat and how to stay healthy during high heat events. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 31 Community organizations and departments are able to share informational materials about extreme heat without the additional capacity burden of creating the materials. B2.c. Heat Preparedness Materials Create and distribute educational materials that relay the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, how to stay cool at home, information about public cooling, and other local resources. This information will be distributed through social media, radio, TV, local news, and take-home materials. Context • Ready.gov cites that the first thing you can do when dealing with extreme heat is to prepare for it in advance. Preparation can include learning about heat illness, preparing your home, and identifying community resources. 34 Anticipated Impact Community members are more educated on the health impacts of heat-related illness and the preparedness strategies that can be taken to prevent it. Materials will be accessible in public spaces, online, and in print materials. B2.d Youth Engagement Partner with local schools or youth organizations to engage young people about extreme heat and its related impacts, and provide individuals with opportunities to implement heat reduction strategies. Context • The Richmond High School Green Club has expressed interest in participating in the Beat the Heat program. • In 2021 the Richmond City Council passed a youth climate resolution created by a youth climate action team. This indicates that there are youth in the community who want to be working on environmental initiatives. Anticipated Impact Young people in the community will have the opportunity to learn about extreme heat and its related impacts and have the opportunity to implement heat reduction strategies. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 32 Table 4: Public Outreach Strategies C. Home Cooling 1. Home Cooling Assistance 2. Informational Materials 3. Suspending Utility Shutoffs Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 34 C. HOME COOLING 1. Home Cooling Assistance The strategies listed under this section, C1.a and C1.b, address the need for home cooling assistance for Richmond’s most vulnerable residents during the summer. Strategy C1.a, Window Air Conditioning Unit Program, would support individuals who do not presently have any air conditioning system. Strategy C1.b proposes a payment assistance program that would aid individuals who presently have an air conditioning system in their home, but face difficulties in paying their utility bills. C1.a Window Air Conditioning Unit Program Establish a program to distribute window air conditioning units to residents that need them most. Units will be allocated to residents that are at a certain income level or live in the most heat-vulnerable areas, as determined by the Heat Vulnerability Index. This program has the potential to build on existing cooling assistance programs or be a partnership with existing service organizations. Context • According to the CDC, “...air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death.” 35 • Electric fans are only useful indoors at temperatures below 95°F, utilizing a fan when temperatures are above 95°F will not help reduce an individual’s chance of Heat-Related Illness. 36 Anticipated Impact Home cooling will be more accessible to individuals that currently possess a barrier to obtaining it. C1.b Utility Bill Assistance Program Explore funding opportunities to establish a utility bill assistance program that will support lower- income residents during the summer months. This program will build upon existing utility bill assistance programs such as the Indiana Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or the Townsend Community Center assistance program. Overview According to the CDC, “...air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related ill- ness and death.”38 Therefore, it is crucial that methods of providing air conditioning to vulnerable indi- viduals are explored as an effective life-saving strategy. By aiding those that currently do not have home air conditioning or face a barrier to using the existing cooling system in their residence, the City of Rich- mond will be able to increase the community’s resilience to extreme heat. For individuals that already have access to home air conditioning, providing beneficial information about how they can further cool their residence through personal interventions will assist in the reduction of current energy bills and ambient air temperatures. The following four strategies address ways to benefit those that currently have cooling systems in their residences and those that do not. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 35 Context • With imminent changes to Indiana’s climate, there is expected to be a change in “...the amount of energy that Hoosiers will need to heat and cool their homes and businesses,” according to the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment. This means that Indiana residents can expect to pay more money on their utility bills in future years. 37 • Presently, the Indiana LIHEAP provides energy assistance funds during the winter months but typically does not extend the program into the summer. • 1 in 3 survey respondents faces a barrier to using their current home cooling system, and 88% of those individuals cited the cost of bills as the reason why. Anticipated Impact Home cooling will be more accessible to individuals with the infrastructure in place for home cooling, but possess a financial barrier to use it during the summer months. 2. Informational Materials Action C1.a is to provide information about home cooling strategies to residents and property owners who are burdened by the financial barriers of using their home cooling system on hot days and nights. By employing the energy efficiency and weatherization strategies in these materials, people will also contribute to reducing air temperatures. C2.a Informational One-Pagers Develop materials with information about energy efficiency, weatherization, cool roof materials, home cooling strategies, and existing local resources. Context • According to the U.S. Department of Energy, weatherization improvements save households an average of $283 or more every year. 39 • Cool roofs can reduce energy costs by almost 50 cents per square foot. 40 • Energy efficiency has a multitude of benefits including environmental, economic, system longevity, and risk management. 41 Anticipated Impact Community members and property owners will become more informed on ways to stay cool at home and improve their home’s resiliency to extreme heat. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 36 3. Suspending Utility Shutoffs Strategy C3.a aims to establish a temperature threshold at which Richmond’s municipal energy supply will suspend utility shutoffs. This will aid in reducing instances of heat-related illness at home and help affirm support for both winter and summer weather hazard prevention measures. C3.a Utility Shutoff Suspensions Pursue opportunities to work with RP&L to establish a temperature threshold at which they will suspend utility shutoffs in the summer. Context • Over the course of the 20th century, preliminary evidence suggests that air conditioning was a central determinant in a 75% decline in extreme heat-related mortality.42 • Presently, Richmond Power & Light has a threshold at which they suspend utility shutoffs in the winter. While suspensions are considered in the summer, there is not an established threshold at which a suspension will occur. Anticipated Impact Community members that are unable to pay their bills during the summer months will be spared from utility shutoffs when temperatures hit a specific threshold. Table 5: Home Cooling Strategies D. CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 1. Residential Canopy Improvements 2. Sustainable Development Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 38 D. CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN Overview The aforementioned strategies primarily address extreme heat adaptation, whereas the following four strategies focus on the mitigation of extreme heat. The benefits of mitigation through climate responsive design are multi-faceted and multi-sectoral, not only benefiting ambient air temperatures, but also reducing exposure to harmful substances, providing recreation opportunities, increasing exposure to the natural environment, improving safety, and so much more.43 Addressing extreme heat through both an adaptive and mitigative lens ensures that strategies outlined in this plan work to both alleviate the burden of extreme heat presently and in the long term. COOLING STRATEGIES AND THEIR CO-BENEFITS Trees contribute to lower air temperatures by releasing water vapor into air, and providing shade for nearby people and buildings. Co-Benefits Shade structures, seating, and water fountains are examples of cooling amenities that lessen the physical stress felt by people on hot days. Co-Benefits COOLING AMENITIES COOL ROOFS PERMEABLE PAVEMENT Cool roofs reflect more heat from the sun than the typical rooftop, which lowers air temperatures and reduces home cooling needs. Co-Benefits Public pools and splash pads provide families with places to play and cool down on hot summer days. Co-Benefits Through conserving energy, improving energy efficiency, and weatherizing buildings, communities have a wide range of options when reducing energy use. Co-Benefits WATER FEATURES Lowers Ambient Air Temperatures Reduces Heat Stress Lowers Greenhouse Gas Emissions Improves Public Spaces Improves Water Quality Improves Air Quality Lowers Energy Costs COOL PAVEMENT TREES AND GREEN SPACE REDUCING ENERGY USE Cool pavements and coatings are more reflective than traditional asphalt and concrete surfaces, allowing them to lower air temperatures. Co-Benefits Permeable asphalt, concrete, and pavers allow water to pass through hardscaped areas to the soil below, which provides cooling benefits and improves local water quality. Co-Benefits Figure 9: Cooling Strategies and Their Co-Benefits Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 39 1. Residential Tree Canopy Improvements Improving the tree canopy in Richmond will help to make outdoor areas cooler and will also help to lower energy usage and costs in nearby homes. Actions D1.a and D1.b offer two avenues to increase the city’s tree canopy. Strategy D1.a will help increase the current planting capacity of the City, to allow for more trees to be planted in the tree lawns of heat-vulnerable areas. The tree giveaway program outlined in strategy D1.b will help support residents that are trying to increase the tree canopy on their private properties. D1.a Tree Tenders Establish a program for community volunteers to plant and maintain specific trees in the city to accommodate the increased capacity of additional trees. This program will be a collaborative effort between the City’s Infrastructure and Development Department, the Parks Department, and the Richmond Street Tree Commission. The location where trees will be planted is based on the Heat Vulnerability Index. Context • “In urban settings, tree canopy reduces local temperatures through both shading and evapotranspiration. While shading results in a direct cooling of surface temperatures, evapotranspiration can reduce local ambient temperatures, not in the direct shade of the tree.”44 • According to the Richmond Parks and Recreation Department Arborist, additional tree plantings would be difficult without increased capacity. • A tree such as the Northern Catalpa, commonly found in Glen Miller Park, is capable of intercepting 6,398 gallons of stormwater runoff each year, in turn saving $40.00 a year and over $1,000 throughout its lifetime.45 Anticipated Impact The capacity to plant and maintain trees within the city will be increased. Because of this, neighborhoods with the highest heat vulnerability will have increased tree plantings, thus helping lower temperatures. D1.b Tree Giveaway Host a giveaway program to provide residential property owners with trees and information about how to care for them. The giveaway could involve a volunteer planting effort to help increase resident knowledge of how to successfully and efficiently plant trees. Context • Trees can lower air temperatures in city neighborhoods by up to 10 degrees.46 • 67% of survey respondents indicated that they would favor an increase in tree planting. Anticipated Impact Property owners will receive support in increasing the tree canopy on their properties. This will lower ambient air temperatures, provide shade, and reduce CO₂ and stormwater runoff. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 40 2. Sustainable Development In the public and private sectors, architectural and urban design strategies can contribute to lower air temperatures, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and more comfortable outdoor spaces, while strengthening Richmond’s resilience against climate change. These benefits are integral to mitigating extreme heat as they can have long-term, lasting impacts. To support this need, strategy D2.a proposes the creation of development guidelines that can help guide future private sector developments towards greater sustainability, and Action D2.b encourages and offers a series of public design projects that can be carried out by the City in future developments and redevelopments. D2.a Private Development Guidelines Create a program to encourage the incorporation of environmentally sustainable design elements in private developments and redevelopments. Environmentally sustainable design elements can include cool surfaces, greenspace, cooling amenities, and other features that increase Richmond’s overall sustainability. Potential strategy options include design standards, guidelines, or incentives for new developments and substantial remodels of existing development. Context • The benefits of environmentally sustainable design are multifaceted and cross-sectoral. • “The Benefits of Green Infrastructure for Heat Mitigation and Emissions Reductions in Cities,” cites that “Beyond its well-established benefits for moderating urban temperatures, green infrastructure has been demonstrated to yield a range of additional ecological and human health-related benefits. Most extensively documented are the benefits of urban vegetation for lessening the volume of stormwater runoff and enhancing urban water quality.”47 • The Richmond Rising plan has goals that “Street trees and wide sidewalks with benches and landscaping will provide areas that are comfortable at all times of the day. Architectural features and site design will be such that [sic] provide a sense of style within the new development, creating a fresh and exciting environment that sets itself apart from surrounding communities, and provides a one-of-a-kind experience within the heart of Richmond.” Anticipated Impact Private developments in Richmond will be more resilient to climate change and will contribute to the overall sustainability of the city. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 41 D2.b Public Design Projects Explore the potential of public space and infrastructure improvements that will lessen the heat island effect in Richmond and provide cooling amenities to the community. Projects will be in locations that the Heat Vulnerability Index and the Heat Maps deem necessary and beneficial. Potential projects could include bus stop upgrades, tree plantings, permeable pavements, and the incorporation of green infrastructure into future developments. Context • “Trees and vegetation are most useful as a mitigation strategy when planted in strategic locations around buildings or to shade pavement in parking lots and on streets.”48 • 53% of community survey respondents indicated that they wanted to see an increase in gardens and greenspace to help bring down temperatures. • Improved water accessibility was mentioned in nearly every focus group. • In addition to reducing stormwater runoff and cooling surface temperatures, “...permeable pavements can help filter out pollutants that contribute to water pollution.”49 Anticipated Impact The City will consider providing cooling amenities during future development or redevelopment which will decrease instances of heat-related illness and improve the city’s climate resilience. Figure 10: A Green Infrastructure Bioswale in Downtown Figure 11: Shade Sails in Jack Elstro Plaza Figure 12: A Bus Stop Shelter and Bike Rack on East Main Street Cooling Amenities Already Present in Richmond to Expand on Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 42 Table 6: Climate Responsive Design Strategies Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 43 IMPLEMENTATION AND NEXT STEPS As a part of the Beat the Heat program, some of the strategies in this plan began implemention in the Summer of 2022, whereas others are intended to be addressed at a later date. The main focus of the Beat the Heat program in 2022 was on the Heat Wave Response Protocol and Public Outreach Strategies. Richmond developed a separate continuity plan document to help continue these strat- egies and identify possible interventions for strategies not yet addressed. Table 7 calls out strategies already addressed in 2022 and identifies a possible timeline for the remaining strategies. Table 7: Anticipated Strategy Timelines Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 44 Summer 2022 Implementation In summer 2022, Beat the Heat prioritized actions that engage the public over extreme heat- health risks and awareness. This was done through broader population engagement and targeted engagement with Richmond’s most vulnerable residents. Given the seasonality of this issue, it was important for educational materials and heat alert promotions to take place when the summer heat is at its most relevant to the community. The majority of strategies implemented in the summer of 2022 relied on Beat the Heat program funds or external grant funding. All of the strategies listed below are intended to be continued past the timeline of Beat the Heat. The steps taken towards these strategies intended to get them prepared to run in the long-term or were to test out the possibility of the strategies running after the program has ended. Strategies Addressed in 2022 Heat Wave Alerts and Heat Alert Promotion During the Summer of 2022, subsciption to the NIXLE weather alert system was encouraged for Richmond Residents. Summer 2022 produced an increase in subscriptions. Local Organization Directory A local organization directory was created in the Fall of 2022 and will serve as a resource when implementing various strategies in the future. Cooling Centers Five cooling centers were promoted during Summer 2022. Cooling center locations were accessible via the City website, social media posts, and an online map that allowed users to get directions to each location. Check-in program A virtual pilot check-in program was launched in the Summer of 2022. Minimal interest in the program from residents suggested that a virtual program is not the most desirable form of check-in program. Cool Kits 50 Cool Kits were distributed in August 2022. Cool kits contained sunscreen, reusable water bottles, cooling towels, aloe vera gel, sunglasses, and electrolyte tablets. Kits were distributed through local non-profits and outreach workers. Community Health Training A community health training was available to residents in August at the Morrisson-Reeves Library. The training addressed how to stay safe during the summer and best practices to cool down during high temperatures. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 45 Extreme Heat Toolkit In collaboration with the Town of Clarksville, the City of Richmond created a Heat Preparedness Toolkit that contains heat preparedness resources from federal agencies as well as customizable social media graphics. The toolkit has been made available to any Indiana municipalities that want to utilize the resources. Heat Preparedness Materials The City of Richmond hosted a “Beat the Heat” week on their social media pages in July. The week highlighted how to stay safe in the summer, what populations have increased heat vulnerability, local resources, and how residents can lower temperatures through personal action. Suspending Utility Shutoffs RP&L’s first summer suspending utility shutoffs during periods of high heat was in 2022. RP&L’s current policy is that utility shutoffs will be suspended when the service area experiences an excessive heat warning. Tree Tenders In partnership with the Parks Department, The Street Tree Commission, and The Department of Infrastructure and Development, Beat the Heat created the City of Richmond Tree Tenders Program. The program aims to build the planting capacity for street trees within the City. In the fall of 2022, the program planted 45 trees in three of the most heat vulnerable neighborhoods in the City. The program was made possible thanks to Indiana American Water’s Environmental Grant, and is intended to grow in coming years. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 46 Appendix A: Actions Table $ = $1 to $999 $$ = $1000 to $9,999 $$$= $10,000 to $99,999 Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 47 $ = $1 to $999 $$ = $1000 to $9,999 $$$= $10,000 to $99,999 Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 48 $ = $1 to $999 $$ = $1000 to $9,999 $$$= $10,000 to $99,999 Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 49 Appendix B: Glossary Ambient Air Temperature “the overall temperature of the outdoor air. It does not take into account the relative humidity of air (as apparent temperature does) or wind conditions”50 Adaptation “adapting to life in a changing climate – involves adjusting to actual or expected future climate Blue Infrastructure refers to urban infrastructure elements that contain water”51 Climate Change “a long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth’s local, regional and global climates”52 Cooling Center public, air-conditoined spaces in one’s community where individuals are able to cool down during periods of high heat Cooling Amenities public infrastructure elements that provide relief from the heat (e.g. shade, shelter, water) Design Standards “a set of design criteria established by a municipality that either encourage or require developments to include certain design elements. Design guidelines are flexible, qualitative measures of design attributes”53 Design Guidelines “a set of design criteria established by a municipality that require developments to include certain design elements. Design standards are fixed, quantitative measures of design attributes”54 Excessive Heat Watch “are issued when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours. A Watch is used when the risk of a heatwave has increased but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain”55 Excessive Heat Warning “is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. The general rule of thumb for this Warning is when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 105° or higher for at least 2 days and nighttime air temperatures will not drop below 75°; however, these criteria vary across the country, especially for areas not used to extreme heat conditions. If you don’t take precautions immediately when conditions are extreme, you may become seriously ill or even die.”56 Extreme Heat “is defined as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average. Because some places are hotter than others, this depends on what’s considered average for a particular location at that time of year.”57 Green Infrastructure “the array of man-made practices that use or mimic natural systems to manage and control urban stormwater runoff such as bioswales, rain gardens, and green roofs. Water is either directed to engineered systems for infiltration or detained at a slower rate before it enters the combined sewer system. In addition to water quality benefits, green infrastructure also produces a host of co-benefits including beautification and heat mitigation.”58 Greenhouse Gases “gases that trap heat in the atmosphere”59 Heat Advisory “is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. The general rule of thumb for this Advisory is when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 100° or higher for at least 2 days, and nighttime air temperatures will not drop below 75°; however, these criteria vary across the country, especially for areas that are not used to dangerous heat conditions. Take precautions to avoid heat illness. If you don’t take precautions, you may become seriously ill or even die.”60 Heat Exposure being subjected to high temperatures for prolonged periods of time, either indoors or Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 50 outdoors. Heat Exposure can result in heat-related illness Heat-Related Illness includes heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat rashes and occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Heat Vulnerability the likelihood that an individual will be physically impacted by hot weather Heatwave “a period of abnormally hot weather generally lasting more than two days”61 Mitigation “reducing climate change – involves reducing the flow of heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, either by reducing sources of these gases (for example, the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat or transport) or enhancing the “sinks” that accumulate and store these gases (such as the oceans, forests and soil).”62 Urban Heat Island Effect the increase in temperatures in urban and developed areas compared to nearby rural/suburban areas due to the absorption and re-emission of heat by built infrastructure. Vulnerable Populations individuals whose vulnerability is enhanced by sociodemographic factors Weatherization protecting a structure from the elements (e.g. wind, precipitation, low and high temperatures) through modifications or additions and reducing energy consumption by optimizing energy efficiency. Heat Management Plan | City of Richmond 51 Appendix C: References 1. Erdman, Jonathan. “America’s No. 1 Weather Killer Is Not Tornadoes, Flooding, Lightning or Hurricanes: The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel.” The Weather Channel, June 3, 2021. https:// weather.com/safety/heat/news/2021-06-03-heat-america-fatalities. 2. American Public Health Association, and Center for Disease Control. “Extreme Heat Can Impact Our Health in Many Ways.” Accessed May 23, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/pubs/extreme-heat-fi- nal_508.pdf. 3. DeVilbiss, Jonathan, and Mark Morey. “June Heat Wave in the Northwest United States Resulted in More Demand for Electricity.” Homepage - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), July 21, 2021. https:// www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=48796. 4. Angel, J., C. Swanston, B.M. Boustead, K.C. Conlon, K.R. Hall, J.L. Jorns, K.E. Kunkel, M.C. Lemos, B. Lof- gren, T.A. Ontl, J. Posey, K. Stone, G. Takle, and D. Todey, 2018: Midwest. In Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II [Reidmiller, D.R., C.W. Avery, D.R. Easter- ling, K.E. Kunkel, K.L.M. Lewis, T.K. Maycock, and B.C. Stewart (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, USA, pp. 872–940. doi: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH21 5. “Ground-Level Ozone Basics.” EPA. Environmental Protection Agency. 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