‘An invisible hazard’: Warming cities hire chief heat officers to tackle growing threat
In early November, Los Angeles City Council members voted unanimously to create the city’s first chief heat officer position.
In early November, Los Angeles City Council members voted unanimously to create the city’s first chief heat officer position.
It’s an indication that in a city familiar with natural disasters, heat is emerging as a major threat.
“We need to at least have planning at the level of our response to earthquakes,” said council member Paul Koretz, who helped lead efforts to create the city’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Office and supported the creation of the heat officer position.
Los Angeles becomes the third local government to have carved out a role to deal specifically with heat. Miami-Dade County in Florida and Phoenix filled similar positions this year. The jobs are designed to put the risks of heat — hidden, underestimated and intensifying with climate change — at the center as local governments prepare for a fast-warming world.
Cities can be at particular risk of heat waves as their infrastructure absorbs more heat, and it is a particular concern in rapidly urbanizing areas.
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