The Maricopa County Department of Public Health has opened a survey for ideas that would bring more people into cooling centers during times of extreme heat.

“We know that cooling centers can provide air conditioning, water and access to necessary services,” Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director for MCDPH, said in a release.

“By learning more about how people find out about these resources and get to them - and what keeps them from using them - we can work with our partners to more effectively address residents’ needs and promote these centers.”

Maricopa County residents can take the survey through Aug. 31 at Maricopa County Cooling Center Survey (vanderbilt.edu). Those who would like to take the survey by phone can call the MCDPH CARES Team at 602-506-6767.

MCDPH is part of the Heat Relief Network, which brings community agencies together to provide and promote resources for people to stay hydrated and cool, the release state. The network, coordinated by the Maricopa Association of Governments, includes dozens of locations across the county where people can cool off, get a drink or donate water.

MCDPH has been working with the Arizona Department of Health Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more than a year on the survey.

“We know that heat is a public health issue. In 2022, 425 individuals sadly passed away from heat-associated illnesses,” Dr. Sunenshine said. “The tragedy is that every one of these deaths is preventable, and we need the community’s help to prevent these unnecessary deaths.”