Arizona’s Inaugural ‘Chief Heat Officer’ Eludes Media Spotlight

By Staff Reporter

Arizona’s first “Chief Heat Officer” is evading direct media interaction. Eugene Livar, appointed in April, prefers addressing media questions through his vlog, “What’s Hot with Heat.”

ABC15 reporter Nicole Grigg revealed that Livar repeatedly avoids direct media interviews. Instead, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) directs reporters to look through Livar’s vlogs for answers, claiming that these vlogs are sufficient to keep the public informed. ADHS highlighted the vlog’s 77,000 subscribers and high click rate.

Arizona’s population exceeds 7.1 million.

This “Chief Heat Officer” position was created under Governor Katie Hobbs’ Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan, which Livar helped develop. His responsibilities include implementing initiatives that cater to the state’s growing heat-related challenges, focusing on resources for the homeless and clean energy projects.

A significant aspect of Hobbs’ plan involves lobbying the federal government to declare heat as an emergency, aiming to unlock additional federal funding for the state.

Currently, Livar’s office has issued two vlogs. The first, released last month, provided an overview of the office’s duties and available heat relief resources. It also emphasized the importance of staying cool, hydrated, and informed. Livar’s second vlog encouraged municipalities to issue more public advisories on heat and expand cooling and hydrating stations.

The next vlog installment is set to be released next Wednesday. Both vlogs reiterate advice on preventing heat-related illnesses and maintaining car performance to avoid heat-induced breakdowns.

ADHS has ensured accessibility by including a sign language interpreter in the vlogs. Livar also blogs about heat-related topics, such as hydration and dehydration signs, and the availability of local cooling and hydration centers. His other blogs cover various health topics, like HIV testing and marijuana kitchen regulations.