Agenda 03-17-2026; 8-h - Approval of the 2026 Orange County Heat Action Plan

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18 In addition,to assist local organizations willing to serve as cooling centers during periods of extreme heat,the County will develop a brief "How to Host a Cooling Center Guide"Once this guide is developed, it will be shared with local organizations,such as local businesses, religious institutions and museums. -- ---- o; During each instance of excessive heat warning,Orange County4 g Emergency Management will coordinate with Asset Management and , z- the Library to open cooling centers for extended hours and publicize I I the resources according to the communications strategy outlined in Appendix A. AV o. Several identified locations will serve as designated cooling centers with expanded operational hours during excessive heat warning days. These locations may include: • Orange County Public Library The Town of Chapel Hill will also publicize transportation services.Free 137 W.Margaret Ln.,Hillsborough transportation will allow a greater number of residents to access vital cooling resources during extreme heat events. • Orange County Southern Branch Library 203 S Greensboro St.,Carrboro Community Partners: Chapel Hill Transit,Orange Public Transit,Point to Point,GoTriangle • Efland-Cheeks Community Center 117 Richmond Rd.,Efland Action 11: Integration of Extreme Heat into the • Rogers Road Community Center Hazard Mitigation Plan and Emergency Operation 101 Edgar St,Chapel Hill Plan • Cedar Grove Community Center Integrate extreme heat preparedness into the Eno Haw 5800 NC 86N,Hillsborough Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and Orange County's and Local Extended cooling center hours will reduce strain on emergency Governments'Emergency Operations Plans. response systems and protect individuals at risk from extreme heat Orange County and Towns will partner with consultants and the NC earlier and later in the day. Department of Public Safety to integrate extreme heat preparedness Community Partners: into the next Eno Haw Hazard Mitigation Plan update and Orange OC Community Relations,Libraries,Community Centers,and County Emergency Operations Plan.Heat is the leading cause of Community Based Organizations weather-related death in the United States.Aligning the Eno-Haw Hazard Mitigation Plan with the activities listed in this Heat Action Plan Action 10:Cooling Center Transportation will help raise awareness and support for extreme heat preparedness. Offer free transportation to cooling centers during acute heat The Eno Haw Hazard Mitigation plan is designed to identify local events. actions for reducing risk from natural hazards in the Eno-Haw area, To aid residents who lack access to transportation,Orange County and including the counties of Alamance,Durham and Orange.Through this the Town of Chapel Hill,in collaboration with Orange Public Transit and effort,we will define heat as a hazard by combining climate and health Chapel Hill Transit,will develop a plan to provide free transportation, data,describe how our community and residents are vulnerable to including wheelchair accessible transportation,to and from cooling extreme heat,incorporate climate change projections into extreme heat centers during periods of extreme heat and to ensure that planned assessments,and develop appropriate and feasible heat preparedness cooling centers are accessible through existing fixed bus routes. strategies. Furthermore,partner organizations will look into finding alternative The Orange County Emergency Operations Plan sets out important methods of transportation,such as a ridesharing program.Details guidelines for how Orange County responds to emergency situations, about the transportation services will be publicized via social media making consideration of extreme heat necessary to ensure the plan is posts by OC Community Relations in coordination with Orange County safe for residents and first responders. Emergency Management. Community Partners: Alamance and Durham Counties,South Orange Rescue Squad,Volunteer Fire Departments 16