Flexibility and partnerships perceived as supportive of dual hazard response: COVID-19 and heat related illness, Summer 2020

Abstract

Objectives: To understand how health departments implemented the response to the dual hazards of Heat Related Illness (HRI) and COVID-19 in Summer 2020. Methods: We interviewed five health jurisdictions with a Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) Framework HRI project to understand impacts to organizational roles and preparedness activities, capacity to respond to the heat season, challenges experienced with resources and personnel, and how partners influenced their capacity to respond to dual hazards. Results: Health jurisdictions working in both heat preparedness and on the COVID-19 response highlighted three components as integral to maintaining public health capacity throughout the pandemic: 1) adapting to changing roles and responsibilities, 2) building and strengthening inter-organizational partnerships, and 3) maintaining flexibility through cross-training as themes to maintain the public health capacity throughout the pandemic. Conclusions: With impacts of the changing climate, including resultant extreme events with subsequent public health impacts, simultaneous responses are likely to arise again in the future. Developing cross-training programs, fostering flexibility and adaptability within the workforce, and building and sustaining external partnerships can support health departments anticipating the need to respond to simultaneous public health hazards in the future.