FUTURE EXTREME HEAT CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS
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Authors
Christensen, Troy E.
Subjects
extreme heat
emergency management
climate adaptation
climate change
future planning
heat
heatwave
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA
emergency management
climate adaptation
climate change
future planning
heat
heatwave
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA
Advisors
Matei, Cristiana
Dew, Nicholas
Date of Issue
2024-09
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
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Abstract
Extreme heat poses a significant and growing threat to emergency management and homeland security within the United States, yet many communities remain unprepared for their impacts due to inadequate planning. This thesis explores the potential future impact of extreme heat on America’s emergency management community. The study specifically focuses on future extreme heat effects in Phoenix, Chicago, Seattle, and Atlanta, representing a diverse cross-section of climates in the United States. The study employs a scenario-based approach for each city to determine the shocks of extreme heat events in future global temperature increases of +1.5ºC, +2.0ºC, and +2.5ºC above pre-industrial levels. Each scenario focuses on the expected effects on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Lifelines, representing vital functions of a community to ensure safety, security, and well-being. The thesis underscores the importance of planning for extreme heat specifically and the cascading effects of extreme heat on communities and infrastructure. Recommendations to mitigate the growing challenge of extreme heat events on communities include creating plans specific to the hazard, preparing for cascading impacts, focusing on heat awareness and communications, and advocating funding for communities to address extreme heat threats.
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Thesis
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Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.