Phoenix heat officer program cuts heat-related deaths

Phoenix, Arizona, appointed a dedicated heat officer in 2021 to coordinate climate‑heat mitigation across city agencies. The role oversees cooling centre operations, 24‑hour service expansions, and low‑income air‑conditioner replacement programs.

According to Ladd Keith, director of the Heat Resilience Initiative at the University of Arizona, “It’s incredibly important to make someone responsible for heat because the problem is, if it’s no one’s responsibility, then no one will address it.” The coordinated effort is credited with lowering heat‑related fatalities in Maricopa County from a peak of 645 in 2023 to 405 in 2025, with further reductions expected as the model spreads.

Experts say the approach offers a blueprint for other jurisdictions facing intensifying heatwaves due to climate change, emphasizing accountability and proactive planning to protect public health and infrastructure.