In late September, San Francisco mayor, London N. Breed, announced a new program to help mitigate these risks: the Extreme Weather Resilience Program (EWRP).

The program, led by the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, will provide portable air filtration and air conditioning equipment to 90 community-serving locations across San Francisco to help mitigate the negative impacts during extreme weather events such as heat and poor air quality, while keeping people safe, healthy, and comfortable.

“Evidence suggests that San Francisco’s emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths begin to increase when the temperature reaches above 85 degrees,” according to sf.gov.

“The Extreme Weather Resilience Program partners with our community organizations to shield our most vulnerable communities from heat and smoke. This program is not only a lifesaver, but also a game-changer,” said Tyrone Jue, director, San Francisco Environment Department.

The program targets pockets of the city that are most vulnerable to extreme weather. Last winter, organizations serving such populations in San Francisco were invited to apply for the EWRP. Applicants were prioritized for selection based on the populations they serve, services they provide, the accessibility of those services, and location of their locations.

“As climate change tests San Francisco’s capacity to adapt to new hazards, we will continue to protect our most vulnerable community members through initiatives like the Extreme Weather Resilience Program,” said Mayor London Breed. “The current wildfires impacting our air quality this week are a critical reminder for why we must continue to invest in these measures. We continue to be faced with significant wildfire smoke and heat waves that are posing public health risks that are undeniable, and with this equipment, we can ensure continuity of operations for critical community serving organizations across the city.”

Each of the locations selected are eligible to receive one portable air conditioning unit with cooling capacity up to 450 square feet and two portable air purifier units: one with filter capacity up to 2,090 square feet and one with capacity up to 4,500 square feet. In addition, the Department of Energy Management will provide five years of filter replacements for all air purifiers distributed through the EWRP.

Distribution of the equipment, funded by a combination of local, regional, and state sources, began in early September and is estimated to be completed by the end of December 2023.

“We know how important it is for community members to have familiar and comfortable places to go during extreme weather events,” said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of the Department of Emergency Management. “This program provides essential equipment so facilities can keep their doors open and continue supporting their communities during extreme heat or poor air quality. Meeting people where they are through the EWRP means that many San Franciscans will no longer have to choose between clean or cool air and being somewhere they feel safe.”