2/13/2025
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RiversideCA.govHeat Tabletop Exercise Planning Challenge AwardCity CouncilFebruary 25, 2025Office of Sustainability & Fire Department/Office of Emergency Services RiversideCA.gov2
BACKGROUND
•Riverside experiences extreme heat and its impacts to human health, daily activities, agriculture and food systems, and infrastructure and transportation. •Average Mean Temp increase of 5 to 8 degrees;•More days needing air conditioning and fewer days requiring heat.Hottest Day110°F or above100°F or above95°F or aboveYear103°F012582005115°F339792024Data Source: Extemeheatwatch.com Comparison of Extremely Hot Days in Riverside – 2005 vs. 2024 2/13/2025
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COUNTY HEAT RELATED DATA
•Cumulative data from 2018-2024 for the Northwest Region (includes City of Riverside)•Northwest Region counted 1701 heat-related ED visits •Heat-related ED visits are preventableData Source: Riverside University Health System, County Heat-Related Illness (HRI) Dashboard: https://www.ruhealth.org/heat-related-illness-dashboard RiversideCA.gov4
COUNTY HEAT RELATED DATA•Cumulative data from 2018-2024 for the Northwest Region (includes City of Riverside)•Northwest Region counted 33 heat-related deaths•Heat-related deaths are preventable Data Source: Riverside University Health System, County Heat-Related Illness (HRI) Dashboard: https://www.ruhealth.org/heat-related-illness-dashboard 2/13/2025
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1. Awarded $20,000 from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for an extreme heat tabletop exercise. 2. An extreme heat tabletop exercise serves to pre-plan for future scenarios and mitigate potential health impacts. The City of Riverside and American Red Cross of Riverside County will collaborate to develop the exercise. 3. The City of Riverside will partner with several stakeholders including Public Health, school districts, universities and more. $20,000 Award RiversideCA.gov6
1. Review available options for extreme heat exposure reduction for the most at-risk groups. 2. Identify critical gaps in the response to extreme heat, with an emphasis on improving outcomes for the most at-risk groups. 3. Analyze and prioritize both short-term (1-2 years) and long-term (10-15 years) exposure reduction solutions that can occur at various social levels (individual, community, municipality, etc.) for the most at-risk groups.ObjectivesExtreme and prolonged heat events; concurrently with electric outages caused by heat and resulting wildfires; leading to worsening air quality. Threat or Hazard MitigationAn extended heat event in the City of Riverside threatens residents, especially those living with energy and housing insecurity, as well as visitors. This event stresses the area’s infrastructure, causes many heat-related illnesses, and creates favorable wildfire conditions. ScenarioTABLETOP ELEMENTS 2/13/2025
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TABLETOP ELEMENTSContext and Preparedness: Introduces participants to the scenario and seeks toidentify current emergency response protocols while assessing the city's readiness forextreme heat events.Module 1Heat Response Analysis and Identifying Gaps: Evaluates the city's heat emergencymanagement system, identifying critical gaps and limitations as it faces compoundchallenges: a historic heat wave coinciding with surrounding wildfires anddeteriorating air quality throughout the week.Module 2Improving the City’s Response and Managing Risk in the Short Term: Focuses ondeveloping immediate, actionable strategies to enhance emergency responsecapabilities and implement rapid interventions for heat-related emergencies.Module 3Managing Risk in the Long Term: Addresses sustainable, long-term solutions for buildingcommunity resilience against extreme heat, including infrastructure improvementsand policy recommendations for lasting climate adaptation.Module 4 RiversideCA.gov8
Community Well-beingGoal 2.5.Foster relationships between community members, partner organizations, and public safety professionals to define, prioritize, and address community safety and social service needs. Goal 2.6.Strengthen community preparedness for emergencies to ensure effective response and recovery. Environmental Stewardship Goal 4.3.Implement local and support regional proactive policies and inclusive decision-making processes to deliver environmental justice and ensure that all residents breath healthy and clean air with the goal of having zero days of unhealthy air quality per the South Coast Air Quality District’s Air Quality Index (AQI). STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT 2/13/2025
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It is recommended that City Council:1. Accept a $20,000 grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support extreme heat planning; 2. With at least five affirmative votes, and upon receipt of the award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenues and appropriate expenditures in the amount of $20,000, or the actual award amount, in General Fund, City Manager’s Office, Office of Sustainability revenue and expenditure accounts. RECOMMENDATIONS