The City of El Paso is seeking volunteers to help collect environmental data about the hottest and coolest places in our region during an upcoming heat wave this summer. Data collected by volunteers during the joint one-day heat mapping campaign will be used to develop temperature maps of the city (see Portland example) and help address heat-related vulnerabilities across the region. Participating volunteers will be granted a stipend for completion of their responsibilities.

What will volunteers do?

Volunteers are needed to drive [or for those hearty enough, ride a bicycle] along predetermined routes in the city area over three separate one-hour periods during a hot day. Volunteers will use a simple data-collection device attached to the vehicle. You can also volunteer as a navigator and help direct drivers’ turns along their route. Drivers will need to cover the same route for all three shifts. Also, volunteers will drive their assigned route before the campaign date to familiarize themselves with the route. Finally, once the maps are developed, volunteers will participate in one or two workshops to share their experience and provide feedback on how to move forward in terms of addressing heat in El Paso.

Are there any requirements to volunteer?

Drivers will need a valid driver’s license, auto insurance (not necessary for bicyclists), and access to a vehicle (or bicycle). In addition to the three hours of data collection, volunteers will first be asked to review a video, complete a knowledge-check, participate in a short online training session and follow up discussion, and participate in the post-campaign workshops. Based on previous campaigns, volunteers spend an average of 4.5 hours over three weeks, though the majority of time (~3.5 hours) will occur on the selected campaign day. Also, 4-5 hours extra will be required to attend the workshops during the fall/winter.

On what day will the heat mapping campaign occur?

That will depend on the weather forecast. Heat mapping is best done on a hot temperature and clear-skied day. Using historical weather patterns, and support from the National Weather Service, the target campaign date for the El Paso is end of June/early July. While weather does change, this selected campaign date will be confirmed about one week prior, as forecasts become more reliable. Because we have to wait for the heat—and the fact that summer is such a busy time—we need to assemble an “on-call” roster of volunteers -- which means that we’ll want more people signing up than we need. We will confirm your participation about one week prior to the campaign, when we finalize the date. Please note that signing up does not commit you to the project, rather the process will begin by building out a roster of potential volunteers, and confirmation will occur about one week in advance.

If you are interested in participating in this opportunity, or would like to learn more, please respond to this Volunteer Intake Form

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach Fernando at berjanofl@elpasotexas.gov or (904) 707-3652.

To learn more about the CAPA Heat Watch program, check out www.capastrategies.com/capa-heat-watch

Thank you,

Maricruz Chavez

Neighborhood Specialist

Neighborhood Services

Community + Human Development

City of El Paso

915.212.1681

elpasotexas.gov