Johnson County Public Health and Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County have been awarded a $20,000 prize from the National Integrated Heat Health Information System and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Regional Collaboration Network.

The collaborative proposal, titled “Extreme Heat on Juneteenth!” was recognized as one of ten award-winning entries, which aims to enhance community resilience to future extreme heat events.

The awarded prize will help fund the tabletop exercise scheduled on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, as well as help fund the development of a “Resilience Hub” at Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County.

The purpose of a tabletop exercise is to test existing procedures and refine identified weaknesses to increase overall organizational and community emergency preparedness. The award-winning tabletop exercise scenario is designed to simulate a record-setting heat wave coinciding with Juneteenth celebrations.

A “Resilience Hub” is a central, community-based resource for residents at heightened risk of disruptive events, addressing both immediate needs and long-term resilience. A “Resilience Hub” functions in three phases: “Everyday,” “Disaster,” and “Recovery,” with support services changing based on the phase and community-identified needs. This resource is being developed in collaboration with Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, City of Iowa City, and Johnson County Emergency Management Agency.

“Extreme Heat doesn’t impact everyone equally,” said Nate Savage, Emergency Preparedness Planner at Johnson County Public Health. “This exercise will bring together our emergency services, public health, and non-profit sectors to build realistic and equitable solutions. It’s an opportunity to prepare for the worst and strengthen existing services that provide for our most at-risk neighbors.”

Members of the media are welcome to attend the exercise, which will feature a presentation, discussion modules, and an overall summary review.

For more information on Johnson County’s emergency preparedness efforts or to access extreme heat safety resources, visit: https://johnsoncountyiowa.gov/public-health/preparedness-general-resources.