In preparation for another summer with record breaking heat, American Red Cross, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Tucson Electric Power (TEP) are joining forces to visit local neighborhoods and share critical heat safety resources and information with residents. Serious heat-related illness and death remain an ongoing concern for residents of Southern Arizona going into the summer months.
As we kick off Heat Awareness Week across Arizona, partners will conduct neighborly check-ins while distributing life-saving information on how to stay safe during extreme heat events. “A coordinated response to heat emergencies is critical to keeping our communities safe,” said Courtney Slanaker, Executive Director, American Red Cross.
“Taking care of our neighbors is not just a responsibility, but a fundamental aspect of building a resilient and compassionate community,” said Paul Penzone, VP, Chief Community Relations Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. “Together, we can ensure that everyone has the resources and support they need to stay safe and healthy.”
Checking on your neighbors is one of the most effective ways to combat local hazards such as extreme heat and ensure our neighbors have the support they need. A key factor in community resilience is knowing your neighbors. Do you know your neighbors?
“Tucson Electric Power employees are your neighbors. We know the importance of increasing the awareness of heat impacts, making social connections, and supporting public health as we gear up for another long, hot summer,” said Lynne Petersen, TEP’s Senior Director of Customer Experience. “We also work hard to strengthen our local energy grid because we know how essential reliable service is during the increasingly extreme heat events that happen each year. It’s all crucial activity for our vulnerable populations who are more susceptible to heat-related impacts.”
Canvassing Event Details
- What: Neighbors checking on neighbors, passing out heat relief flyers, information regarding medications and heat safety, power and lifeline resources, heat relief kits and asking about smoke alarms. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Tucson Electric Power and the Red Cross will deploy volunteers with resources and information to share with residents to stay safe during the summer heat.
- When: Monday, May 5, 2025
- Where: Canvassing in the 85705 neighborhoods. Contact us for details.
Visuals: Opportunity to hear from AZ Blue’s VP, Chief Community Relations Officer, Paul Penzone + TEP’s Senior Director of Customer Experience Lynne Petersen, Red Cross Chapter Executive Director Courtney Slanaker, City of Tucson representatives, and other participants. Media is invited to film volunteers canvassing the neighborhood, including filming teams walking down the street or knocking on doors. To protect the privacy of the residents, they should only be filmed with permission.
Visit redcross.org/aznmextremeheat for more information or to download the door hangers in both English and Spanish.
Visit AZ Blue in Action to learn more about how AZ Blue brings health to all Arizonans through corporate support, funding, and employee volunteer efforts.
Visit Tucson Electric Power’s website to view a heat safety bill insert TEP is sending to all residential customers in May. You can also find details about TEP’s Medical Device Alert program for customers who use life-sustaining medical devices or have a medical condition requiring continuous electric service.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Blue Cross ® Blue Shield ® of Arizona (AZ Blue) is committed to helping Arizonans get healthier faster and stay healthier longer. With a mission to inspire health and make it easy, AZ Blue offers health insurance and related services to more than 2 million customers. AZ Blue, a non-profit company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The company and its subsidiaries employ more than 3,200 people in its Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Tucson offices. To learn more, visit azblue.com or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.
About TEP
Tucson Electric Power serves more than 452,000 electric customers in Southern Arizona. TEP and its Tucson, Arizona-based parent company, UNS Energy Corporation, are subsidiaries of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry.
