City activates hundreds of cooling centers as heat indices approach 100 degrees through Friday

NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced a partnership between New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), the Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) and LinkNYC to help New Yorkers quickly find nearby NYC Cooling Centers during periods of extreme heat.

The most effective way to stay safe during extreme heat is to seek air-conditioning — whether at home, in a friend’s apartment, at a local business or at one of the hundreds of public cooling centers activated across the city.

During heat emergencies, more than 2,200 LinkNYC kiosks will display real-time walking directions to the nearest NYC Cooling Center within a 10-minute walk. Kiosks will automatically update using data from the City’s Cool Options Finder as cooling centers open and close throughout extreme heat events.

The initiative builds on the success of last winter’s warming center campaign — the largest public service initiative in LinkNYC’s 10-year history — by adding automated data integration and real-time updates to provide faster, more accurate guidance when New Yorkers need it most.

“In an emergency, information can save lives,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Extreme heat becomes deadly fast, and New Yorkers — especially seniors, working people and families without reliable air conditioning — are vulnerable when temperatures soar. By turning thousands of LinkNYC kiosks into real-time guides to cooling centers, we’re using public technology to connect people with the resources they need to stay safe. This is what City government should do: meet New Yorkers where they are and make it easier to access the services that protect them.”

“This initiative shows what’s possible when public and private partners use technology to solve real-world challenges,” said Nick Colvin, CEO of LinkNYC. “By partnering directly with City agencies, LinkNYC is helping to deliver timely, location-specific information to New Yorkers exactly when and where they need it.”

“High heat can be dangerous; it is the deadliest emergency we face in New York City. It is vital that every New Yorker know about the cooling centers available to them throughout the five boroughs during extreme heat events,” said NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell. “Our partnership with LinkNYC enables us to reach even more New Yorkers and keep them informed before, during and after heat emergencies.”

“As temperatures rise to dangerous levels, OTI is glad to be able to put technology to use, meet New Yorkers where they are and help residents and visitors stay safe,” said OTI Commissioner and Chief Technology Officer Lisa Gelobter.

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