Mayor Gallego, Councilman Kevin Robinson, and City Officials Brief on 2025 Heat Response

On November 21, Mayor Gallego, Councilman Robinson — Chair of the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee — and key City officials spoke about 2025 heat relief efforts.

Speaking from the site of this summer’s 24-hour cooling center at 20 West Jackson, Mayor Gallego praised City officials and community partners for year-over-year improvement of heat relief efforts. Preliminary Maricopa County Department of Public Health data demonstrate a reduction in heat-related deaths for the second year in a row, demonstrating the impact of City interventions.

“Even one death is too many, but the hard work and dedication of our City staff and community partners are making a difference and saving lives,” Mayor Gallego said. “No city, no community, does more to mitigate extreme heat as a public health threat than Phoenix.”

Joined by Councilman Kevin Robinson, the Mayor spoke about the shared commitment of the members of the Phoenix City Council: to save more lives.

Also present were top City officials with specific expertise on heat relief. Tim Kreis, the Executive Assistant Phoenix Fire Chief, David Hondula, the Director of the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, and Rachel Milne, the Director of the Office of Homeless Solutions explained actions taken this summer and lessons learned that will inform 2026 heat relief efforts.  

Mayor Gallego also called for additional support from other municipalities and levels of government. “As we plan for next summer, I am once again calling on the county, the state, and the federal government to provide the funding, facilities, and services necessary to save more lives,” Mayor Gallego said.

Phoenix utilizes an innovative approach to tackle urgent heat-related issues facing our community, including those experiencing homelessness. The City is proud to report that at the 24/7 cooling center and the three extended-hour cooling centers, more than 44,000 visits occurred across those sites. Citywide, there were 111 hydration stations, cooling centers and respite centers available for anyone in need. In addition, nearly 2,600 people were transported to cooling centers via the Phoenix Fire Department’s Community Assistance Program and its partners. Finally, 751 people, including families with children, were connected to services to help end their homelessness through the Office of Homeless Solutions in concert with their parter, Community Bridges, Inc.