• SCOTT JOHNSON

Excessive Heat Warning Triggers Response by the Red Shield Survival Squad

PHOENIX (June 15, 2017) – In response to the Excessive Heat Warning issued this week by the National Weather Service, for the second time this month, The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Survival Squad will activate 14 heat relief stations throughout the Valley of the Sun, where anyone in need can go for cooling and hydration.

Additionally, a mobile hydration unit will be dispatched to select portions of the Phoenix metro area to serve as many people living on the streets as possible.

During the most recent Excessive Heat Warning, The Salvation Army provided approximately 1,500 people with heat relief in a three-day span.

With record heat expected, from Saturday, June 17, through Wednesday, June 21 (or as long as the Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect), The Salvation Army’s Family Services Office, located at 2707 E. Van Buren St., Building 2, will be open to provide these services from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekend days and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

The mobile hydration unit and the following heat relief stations will provide service from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through the Excessive Heat Warning:

• Apache Junction Corps – 605 E. Broadway Rd., Apache Junction
• Chandler Corps – 85 E. Saragosa St., Chandler
• Eastlake Park – Southwest corner of East Jefferson Street and South 16th Street, Phoenix
• Estrella Mountain Corps – 11 N. Third Ave., Avondale
• Glendale Corps – 6010 W. Northern Ave., Glendale
• Mesa Corps – 241 E. Sixth St., Mesa
• Phoenix Central Corps – 4343 N. 16th St., Phoenix
• Phoenix Citadel Corps – 628 N. Third Ave., Phoenix
• Phoenix Kroc Center – 1375 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix
• Phoenix Maryvale Corps – 4318 W. Clarendon Ave., Phoenix
• Sun Cities West Valley Corps – 17420 N. Avenue of the Arts Blvd., Surprise
• Tempe Corps – 40 E. University Dr., Tempe
• Valley of the Sun Korean Corps – 7238 N. 61st Ave., Glendale

The Salvation Army also encourages the community to check in on neighbors that might be at risk of dehydration or heat-related health issues.

The Red Shield Survival Squad is in need of monetary donations, sunscreen/sunblock, lip balm with SPF, hats, caps, bandanas, cooling towels and bottled water (preferably standard 16.9 ounce bottles). For more donation information, including hosting a Red Shield Survival Squad donation drive with your company or group, please contact Edward Salazar: edward.salazar@usw.salvationarmy.org.

Volunteers are needed at the heat relief stations as well. Please call Danielle Shankle at 602-267-4117 or visit our VOLUNTEER page to find out more - #HeatReliefAZ.

The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Survival Squad is part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Heat Relief Regional Network, the goal of which is to provide resources for vulnerable people and help prevent heat-related deaths.

An interactive map of all heat relief/hydration stations and collection/donation sites in the network can be found HERE.