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City of Jacksonville

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cooling center locations

The Excessive Heat Task Force unveils new plan to respond to extreme heat in the community.

July 31, 2023
The Excessive Heat Task Force, led by Mayor Deegan, Chief Health Officer Dr. Sunil Joshi, city agencies, and Community partners, has developed a plan to respond in the event of extreme heat in Jacksonville.  
 
When will the plan be activated?
The City of Jacksonville’s Emergency Preparedness Division will activate the citywide response to heat when the National Weather Service issues EITHER a Heat Advisory (maximum heat index temperature is expected to be between 108°F - 112°F for 3 or more days) OR an Excessive Heat Warning (maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 113°F or higher for any duration).

Be sure to check JaxReady.com/HeatSafety and follow JaxReady on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest information on heat safety and cooling centers in the community.

What are Cooling Centers?
6 COJ Facilities have been identified as Cooling Centers.
  • The Legends Center – 5130 Soutel Drive
  • Highlands Regional Library – 1826 Dunn Avenue
  • University Park Library – 3435 University Park Blvd North
  • Main Library – 303 North Laura Street
  • Beaches Library – 600 3rd Street
  • Charles Webb Weconnett Regional Library – 6887 103rd Street
Once activated, the Cooling Centers will be open 12 PM – 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. Facilities will have Air Conditioning and water, provided by the Salvation Army.

JTA Cooling Buses will be used to augment the COJ facilities when the facility is closed or if capacity issues arise.

Each Cooling Center will have Facility Personnel, Volunteers, and JSO Security on site.
Additional locations will be identified and opened on an as needed basis.
 
What are the benefits of Cooling Centers?
Cooling centers provide a reprieve from extreme temperatures, and a safe place to cool off, rehydrate, and escape the heat. Providing these resources will help alleviate cases of heat-related illnesses in the community.

How can I get to the Cooling Centers?
JTA will provide complimentary rides to anyone seeking transportation to the Cooling Centers along the following routes after the centers have been activated.

Table of Bus Routes to Access Cooling Centers Legends Center - JTA Routes 3, 4, 22 Highlands Regional Library - JTA Routes 1B, 3 University Park Library - JTA Routes 19, 50A Main Library Downtown - JTA Routes 1, 3, and the Skyway Beaches Library - JTA Route 10B Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library - JTA Routes 13, 16, 30, 53

Existing customers of JTA’s Connexion (Paratransit) and Senior Star ID (65+) can utilize these services to be transported to the Cooling Centers.

The Emergency Preparedness Division’s will partner with community organizations such as Downtown Jacksonville and Changing Homelessness to reach Jacksonville’s vulnerable populations.

How were the locations chosen?
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD), COJ Emergency Preparedness Division, and local CDC data were used to determine social vulnerability. Several variables were used to calculate vulnerability, including socioeconomic status, housing, infrastructure, age, race and ethnicity, transportation access, language barriers, healthcare access, and individuals with disabilities.

Who is on the Excessive Heat Task Force?
  • Dr. Sunil Joshi, Chief Health Officer, City of Jacksonville
  • Chief Keith Powers, Fire Chief, JFRD
  • Chief Andre Ayoub, Chief of the Emergency Preparedness Division, City of Jacksonville
  • Chief Ellis Burns, Chief of Special Events, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
  • Representatives from Jacksonville Transportation Authority
  • Representatives from the Jacksonville Public Library
  • Representatives from the National Weather Service, Jacksonville office.
  • Representatives from Red Cross
  • Representatives from Salvation Army
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS  
City of Jacksonville - 904-630-CITY (2489) 
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office - 904-630-0500 
Florida Department of Transportation - 904-360-5457 
JEA - 904-665-6000 
Northeast Florida Red Cross - 904-358-8091 
Jacksonville Transit Authority (JTA) - 904-630-3100 
Traffic Information - 511 
United Way of Northeast Florida - 211 
Florida Emergency Information Hotline - 1-800-342-3557 
Salvation Army - 904-356-8641 
National Weather Service Jacksonville - 904-741-4311 
Duval County Public Schools - 904-390-2000 
Jacksonville Public Library - 904-255-BOOK (2665)
 
OFFICIAL SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS 
Twitter 
Mayor Donna Deegan (@MayorDeegan) - https://twitter.com/MayorDeegan
City of Jacksonville (@CityOfJax) - https://twitter.com/cityofjax  
JaxReady (@JaxReady) - https://twitter.com/jaxready  
 
Facebook - City of Jacksonville - https://www.facebook.com/CityofJax  
 
Youtube - City of Jacksonville - https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofjacksonville  
 
LinkedIn - City of Jacksonville - https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-jacksonville  
 
Instagram - City of Jacksonville (@CityOfJax) - https://www.instagram.com/cityofjax/  
  
For more information visit http://www.coj.net/departments/public-affairs/social-media.aspx.  
 
About the City of Jacksonville 
The City of Jacksonville is the largest city by land mass in the continental United States, serving approximately 850,000 residents. Located in Duval County, City of Jacksonville leadership includes the mayor and a 19-member City Council. To learn more about the City of Jacksonville, visit COJ.net.