The intense heat during Arizona’s summer months poses a safety risk to people experiencing homelessness, those with health issues, elderly residents and others who are vulnerable. That is why on May 1, the city of Glendale will open several centers where residents can cool off, obtain water and access resources to protect themselves from extreme temperatures.
 

Glendale is teaming up with the Arizona Faith Network and Phoenix Rescue Mission to provide case managers, as well as transportation for individuals who need transportation to other locations for services, and to operate respite centers at: 

• Glendale Mission & Ministry Center, 6242 N. 59th Ave.
• St. John’s Lutheran Church, 7205 N. 51st Ave.
• Individuals will be able to rest, drink water, eat snacks, bring their pets to cool off and obtain assistance from case managers with a variety of services to address their basic needs at the respite centers. The Glendale Mission & Ministry Center will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and St. John’s Lutheran Church’s respite center will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
• St John’s Lutheran Church will not open until May 15.

Anyone who needs an indoor place to cool off and drink water can access these cooling centers in Glendale: 

• Foothills Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave.: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
• Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center (FRAC), 5600 W. Union Hills Road: 5:30 a.m.to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays
• Glendale Adult Center, 5970 W. Brown St.: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
• Glendale Community Center, 5401 W. Ocotillo Road: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays
• Heroes Regional Library, 6075 N. 83rd Ave.: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
• Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St.: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
• O’Neil Community Center, 6448 W. Missouri Ave.: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays
• Rose Lane Community Center, 5003 W. Marlette Ave.: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays
• Velma Teague Library, 7010 N. 58th Ave.: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays

Anyone may stop by these hydration stations in Glendale to simply grab water: 

• Glendale City Courts, 5711 W. Glendale Ave., Building B: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays 
• Glendale Elementary School District (GESD) System of Care Center, 7677 W. Bethany Home Road: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays 
• Please note that holidays may affect the hours of operation, and many locations will be closed during city holidays. 

“The extreme temperatures impact everyone and can be very dangerous,” said Matthew Hess, Deputy Director of the city of Glendale’s Community Services Department. “That’s why our city is providing widespread support around the community to try to reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths.”
 

In addition, the city of Glendale is pleased to partner again with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), to support the Heat Relief Network this season. The network is a regional partnership of MAG, cities, nonprofit organizations, faith-based communities and businesses, through which MAG coordinates the release of maps showing water, cooling and donation sites around the Valley to try to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths among vulnerable individuals.
 

The three stages of heat illness are heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, according to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. According to the department, these are the differences in the three types of illness: 

• Heat cramps: Muscle pains or spasms that usually occur in the abdomen, arms, or legs that may occur in association with strenuous activity. They can be symptoms of heat exhaustion. If medical attention is not needed, stop all activity and sit quietly in a cool place. Drink clear juice or a sports beverage. 
• Heat Exhaustion: Some symptoms are paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting and fainting. Drink cool, non-alcoholic beverages, rest, take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath, and seek an air-conditioned environment. 
• Heat Stroke: This is the most serious heat-related illness. It happens when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. Symptoms include an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F), confusion, dizziness, nausea, as well as a rapid, strong pulse and red, hot and dry skin, a throbbing headache and unconsciousness. If you see any of these symptoms, have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you start cooling the victim. 

To learn more about heat-related illnesses, visit Heat-Related Illnesses And How To Avoid Them | Maricopa County, AZ. Find out more details about the Heat Relief Network in Maricopa County here. For more information about Glendale’s centers that offer heat relief, visit Heat Relief Network - City of Glendale