Rapid Response Notification System

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

The region of Maricopa County, Arizona enjoys many days with clean air. However, there are several days out of the year when air pollution levels approach, or even go above, the federal health standard. The Maricopa County Air Quality Department maintains a robust ambient air monitoring system with 23 fixed monitoring stations reporting hourly readings. The challenge is that a lot of pollution can build up in 60-minutes of time. If a pollution causing event were to go unaddressed, air quality levels could soar above the federal health standard causing immediate health impacts to county residents and would threaten the county's attainment status with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Rapid Response Notification System was developed to provide a three part value: real-time air monitoring data, a notification system to alert residents and stakeholders of a pollution problem and on-site response from department inspectors and stakeholders to identify and discourage pollution activity to reduce the risk of pollution impacts. The Rapid Response Notification System serves as a tool for residents, intergovernmental stakeholders and staff of the Maricopa County Air Quality Department.