Imperial County public health outlines heat-response plan, launches outreach on cooling centers

Imperial County Public Health Department staff on July 8 briefed the Board of Supervisors on an updated extreme-heat community response plan and ongoing efforts to publicize cooling centers and hydration sites.

Jeanette Angulo of the Imperial County Public Health Department said the plan coordinates eight county departments to issue heat warnings, post information about cool centers and hydration sites, provide targeted services to vulnerable populations, and conduct heat-illness surveillance. Angulo said the department will digitize and automate surveillance reporting and aims to launch a public dashboard in the next few weeks.

The department described outreach efforts including the "Look Before You Lock" campaign to remind caregivers not to leave children in vehicles, and ongoing coordination with partners such as the Imperial Irrigation District and the Area Agency on Aging to publicize cooling and hydration locations. Angulo reviewed heat-illness symptoms and advised the public to call 911 for signs of heat stroke.

Supervisor Peggy Price emphasized individual checks of vulnerable neighbors and pets, and noted county-funded programs that assist homeless pet owners. Public Health said some cool centers are county-run, others are run by partner organizations, and the department maintains and updates a public flyer with current sites and hours.

No formal board action was taken; the presentation was informational and intended to prepare departments for an anticipated extreme-heat period.