Cooling Center Guidance
This guidance provides best practices and recommendations for setting up Cooling Centers. The Cooling Center program remains completely voluntary, with no regulatory inspection or compliance aspects supported by the Department of Health. Guidance was developed as part of the New York State Extreme Heat Action Plan.
About Cooling Centers
Cooling Centers are places where people can go to cool down during hot weather. They can include air-conditioned buildings like libraries, community and senior centers, schools, and malls. They can also include spray parks and community pools, shaded parks, or beaches.
The Cooling Center Finder is displays locations of cooling centers and includes information about public transportation and driving and walking directions.
Each year, the New York State Department of Health work with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, local health departments, and local emergency management offices to identify the locations of places to get cool across the State. This information is posted online at Cooling Center Finder. Facilities must have owner/operator permission and be able to accommodate crowds to be included in the Cooling Center Finder.
Setting Up Cooling Centers
Localities decide which facilities can serve as a cooling center, when to open them, and how to operate them. Many cooling centers are libraries and community centers that are already open during business hours throughout the summer. Some localities open cooling centers or extend operating hours when temperatures are hot or when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues alert for heat waves/events. County agency contacts compile cooling center information along with information about operating hours by emailing coolingcenters@health.ny.gov.
Cooling Center Set-Up Checklist
- Identify neighborhoods where there are populations more vulnerable to extreme heat. These may include communities with older adults, lower income, or minority communities who may be less likely to have air conditioning in the home. The Heat Vulnerability Index and the Disadvantaged Communities Criteria Maps may also help to identify areas.
- Identify government agencies, non-profit partners, and other key stakeholders that should be involved in establishing cooling centers, such as senior community centers, libraries, and city/town halls.
- Identify facilities with air conditioning that are open (or can be open) to the public, able to accommodate crowds, and willing to be included on the Cooling Center Finder.
- Consider basic needs such as building accessibility, tables, chairs, access to medical supplies, drinking water, snacks, free internet access, and activities/entertainment.
- Compile a list of Cooling Centers and submit it by email by mid-May to coolingcenters@health.ny.gov.
- Cooling Center lists can be updated throughout the summer months. Email coolingcenters@health.ny.gov to make changes.
- Advertise the cooling center throughout the community in multiple languages via flyers, web postings, reverse 911 calls, social media, etc.
Cooling Center Specifications
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Using the Heat Vulnerability Index and Disadvantaged Communities Criteria
The Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI) helps identify areas with populations of people who may be more vulnerable to heat. Cooling centers should be prioritized for these areas. For areas that have moderate to high vulnerability, the presence of at least one cooling center is recommended for that area. Lower HVI does not mean no risk. Everyone is at some risk for heat-related illness and the presence of cooling centers always recommended.
The Disadvantaged Communities Criteria was developed to ensure that underserved communities benefit from the State’s historic transition to cleaner, greener sources of energy, reduced pollution and cleaner air, and economic opportunities.
Facility Recommendations
Once a potential cooling center has been identified, work with the facility operator/owner to find out if they are willing to be a cooling center, whether they have the capacity to handle a larger volume of visitors during a hot weather, and if there are restrictions on visitors (for example, only open to town residents, only for seniors, or fee on entry). Any restrictions should be shared with the public.
Mobile Cooling Centers
A mobile colling center is a temporary or mobile structure equipped to provide temperature relief during extreme heat. These may be stood up at events as well as when permanent cooling centers are not available. Work with your local transportation company or a health clinic that has a mobile station to provide this service. This can be particularly effective to reach outdoor workers, people who live in rural areas, and people who are homeless.
Pets
Cooling center facility operators should consider working with local animal services to create a cool space for pets and their owners. Be sure to provide drinking water. Advertise if your facility excepts pets. Hot weather also affects animals and leaving pets at home can be a barrier for visiting a cooling center. For additional considerations for pets, please see California Department of Public Health Cooling Center Guidance: Special Considerations for Pets.
Transportation
Local health departments and emergency managers should consider ways to provide transportation to cooling centers for vulnerable populations, including older adults and people with disabilities. Consider reaching out to with local transportation companies for assistance.
Training Staff and Volunteers
All staff should be trained on the general operations of a cooling center. Local resources and subject matter experts should be identified to train cooling center staff to identify and address any behavioral health needs that may arise in the cooling center. Cooling center staff should also be trained on safety and security procedures specific to the location being used as a cooling center. Finally, cooling center staff should be trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.
During Heat Waves
Emergency cooling centers are facilities that only operate during heat waves. These may not have the resources to operate as a cooling center all summer long but can be used during extreme heat events.
Local health department or emergency management offices must specify operating hours and when to display/hide emergency cooling centers on the Cooling Center Finder by emailing coolingcenters@health.ny.gov. Counties may choose to open these facilities as cooling centers when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory or set their own criteria. Use the HeatRisk forecast to help decide when open emergency cooling centers.
Cooling Shelters
Cooling shelters are facilities that stay open past normal operating hours; many remain open for 24-hours-a-day. Cooling shelters provide a place that allows individuals to sleep overnight. Contact your American Red Cross chapter to determine facilities that can remain open during a prolonged extreme heat event. Counties that would like cooling shelter information shared on the Finder can contact by email coolingcenters@health.ny.gov.
Extending Operation Hours
Heat waves may create the need for cooling centers to extend facility hours beyond their normal business hours. Facilities should consider whether they can operate during non-business hours such as a weekend or a holiday, particularly if there is data or information suggesting that people would visit these locations.
Backup Generators
Facilities should be prepared for power outages during heat waves. Consider selecting facilities with backup generators. Generators should have at least 72-hours of energy backup power. Work with facility owners to apply for the Climate Smart Communities Grant to upgrade a facility to have a generator.
Special Considerations for People at Risk
People at higher health risk from hot weather include older adults, young children, people who work outdoors, and people with existing health conditions. Working with a community-based organization can help in identifying cooling centers and providing basic and advanced services for these populations:
- Identify facilities trusted by the community (e.g. churches, community centers, shelters, etc).
- Consider facilities based on demographics. For example, if there are areas that have a higher population of older adults, identify a senior center where older adults may feel more comfortable or provide age-appropriate activities.
- Ensure that cooling centers are open and available to all population groups, including unhoused individuals, LGBTQ+ community, and immigrants.
- Ensure any cooling center communications are available in languages commonly used in the community.
- Consider coordinating transportation, especially in rural areas where there may be a higher population of older adults or people with low income who may not have access to a vehicle.
Clean Air Center Guidance
Clean air centers are safe places where people can go during an Air Quality Alert. Some cooling centers may also be used as clean air centers if they are already equipped with adequate ventilation and are properly maintained. Clean air centers can help people more vulnerable to heat and unhealthy outdoor air find a place to get cool and breathe clean air. Local health departments and emergency managers should consider identifying clean air centers in their counties. Facilities identified as clean air centers can utilize the Clean Air Center Guidance to learn more about preparing for and operating during a poor air quality event.
Local health departments and emergency managers can report clean air centers by email (coolingcenters@health.ny.gov) for inclusion on the Finder. The local health department or emergency management office must specify operating hours and when to display/hide clean air centers for public view.
Outreach and Promotion
Local health departments should work with facility managers to promote awareness of cooling centers and improve the public’s understanding of their availability. Here are a few basic and advanced options for promotion:
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