Mayor Mattie Parker, City of Fort Worth | City of Fort Worth website
Mayor Mattie Parker, City of Fort Worth | City of Fort Worth website
Published on June 23, 2024
Texas summers can be particularly challenging for those without a home. The City of Fort Worth has announced measures to assist residents in finding relief from the heat this summer.
In August 2023, there was a notable increase in deaths among individuals experiencing homelessness. While some fatalities were directly related to the heat, it is believed that extreme temperatures contributed to many others. At a fatality review sponsored by the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, Lt. Sam Greif of the Fort Worth Fire Department’s HOPE Team noted that "the combination of heat and existing health conditions or drug use can be deadly."
To address this issue, the City of Fort Worth has launched the “Heat Heroes for the Homeless” initiative in collaboration with community partners. This program aims to prevent further heat-related fatalities by providing additional resources and education to those most vulnerable to extreme heat. The City is working with local organizations to establish and support cooling stations across Fort Worth. Furthermore, training sessions have been conducted by the City’s HOPE Fire unit with frontline staff at libraries and community centers on how to identify and respond to heat-related conditions.
The following cooling stations are open through September:
- True Worth Place, 1513 E. Presidio St.
- First Street Mission, 801 W. First St.* (Opening July 15)
- Community Crossroads, 1516 Hemphill St.
- WhenWeLove, 1100 E. Lancaster Ave.
Additionally, the City’s Community Action Partners (CAP), in partnership with Reliant Energy, has introduced the statewide Beat the Heat Program for Fort Worth residents. This initiative allows residents to request a cooling device while supplies last. For more information, residents can call 817-392-7540 or visit the CAP website.
For those who work outdoors daily, preparing for extreme heat is crucial. The City's leadership emphasizes adapting where possible while maintaining responsibilities and high levels of customer service.
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