Earlier this month, the Arizona Department of Health Services announced Eugene Livar as the first statewide chief heat officer.

In the new role, he plans to coordinate with others to address the upcoming heat season.

“There isn’t a cookie-cutter approach that maybe would work for Maricopa County compared to Pima County, Phoenix to Tucson and also in the rural areas. There are different needs out there. Plus, we have a wide array of geographical areas, and we have our tribal communities, too," he said.

Livar says much planning needs to be done in preparation for hot weather between May and October.

In Maricopa County alone last year, 579 people died of confirmed heat-related causes.

Arizona Department of Health Services

Dr. Eugene Livar