DeKalb County launches extreme-heat response with cooling centers, free pool access and employee safeguards

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson announced a countywide response to mounting summer temperatures Friday, saying extreme heat has become “more than a seasonal occurrence” and must be treated as a public-safety and workforce-safety issue.

The initiative directs county departments to expand cooling options for residents, operate community day centers as cooling hubs with wraparound services for people experiencing homelessness, offer free admission at outdoor pools and allow department directors discretion to increase remote work and shift outdoor crews’ hours between July 1 and Sept. 1.

"Extreme heat has become more than a seasonal occurrence... what we're dealing with is a matter of public safety, workforce safety," said Lorraine Cochran Johnson, DeKalb County CEO. She said the county's first priority is protecting people without homes and other vulnerable residents while ensuring essential services continue.

Alan Mitchell, director of community development, said the county has designated a set of cooling centers and is using a contracted frontline response provider to transport people to those sites. He described the day centers as an entry point for housing and said staff at those sites will offer showers, food, counseling and referrals to behavioral-health and medical providers. "The day centers are the entree for housing," Mitchell said, adding the centers also connect visitors to workforce development and job-readiness services.

Mitchell named multiple facilities the county is using as cooling sites and said most will offer food, water and wraparound supports; he also said a new north-side day center is expected to open in late year. Officials told reporters a formal press release with addresses and official site details will follow the briefing.

Chris Bass, director of recreation, parks and cultural affairs, said county outdoor pools and recreation centers will provide free admission and functioning cooling areas and hydration stations during normal operating hours for the summer. "First admission will be free to all the County outdoor pools," Bass said, listing a set of outdoor pool and recreation facilities the department plans to open free of charge for the remainder of the summer.

From an emergency-management standpoint, Dr. CJ Avery urged residents to prepare in advance and follow basic heat-safety steps. "Preparing before an emergency saves lives," Avery said, warning that older adults, young children, outdoor workers and people with health conditions can develop heat-related illness very quickly.

The county's new chief sustainability officer tied the heat-response measures to longer-term resilience goals and the county's 2040 master plan, saying efforts such as fleet electrification and improved local food access are part of broader operational steps to reduce heat vulnerability.

Officials emphasized that detailed site addresses and a resource list will be provided in a forthcoming press release. The briefing closed after officials invited reporter questions and reiterated the county's July–Sept. operational guidance for departments to reduce heat risks for employees and residents.