To tackle the hazard of scorching urban temperatures, Phoenix created the first official city-funded heat response office in the U.S.
David Hondula is the director of Phoenix's Office of Heat Response and Mitigation.
"More people are dying from heat in our county and region than ever in recorded history," Hondula said. "Our mission out here is to try to reduce the number of heat-associated illnesses and deaths in the community, particularly among our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Hondula said he know public health risks associated with heat will continue to rise as there are more hot days, which can quickly turn deadly.
Erin Olesiewicz volunteers with the heat team.
"We're the first city to really experience this kind of heat, so we're really reactive," Olesiewicz said. "We're also setting the stage for what other cities need to do in the future as cities get hotter."
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Newsy walked the streets of Phoenix with the heat team, as they handed out sunscreen, cold water, hats and maps for cooling shelters.
"We look at the 9-1-1 call data that comes in, and we try to visit the hot spots for the heat-related calls," Hondula said.
Their mission also includes finding ways to cool the concrete city. That includes using reflective materials on hot roads, planting more drought-tolerant trees and creating more shaded areas.
The city is strategically planting trees along busy walkways. Their goal is to create 100 cool corridors by 2030, and it dug into its first planting project in April.
The seemingly bureaucratic measures may actually save lives, especially in the Zone.
"Maybe like four to five months since I've been here, the heat related deaths that I know of are at least 10," said Warren Smith who lives in the Zone.
The crew packed up for the evening, but they’ll be back again when the sun is scorching.