New Mount Rose Visionary Proposal to Position Fort Worth as a National Model for Urban Heat Safety. May 15, 2025 – May 15, 2030.

 

New Mount Rose Visionary Proposal to Position Fort Worth as a National Model for Urban Heat Safety.  May 15, 2025 – May 15, 2030. https://youtu.be/BJrSvUvf5H0?si=7JZ1V2nePAxoAN2T

“Get HIPP with the Little Miss 6888th Heat Safety Campaign.”

A Community-Based Model for Building a Year-Round Urban Heat Safety Workforce and Youth Leadership Initiative in Fort Worth’s 76104

Presented by:

Rev. Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.

New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church

Fort Worth, Texas 76104

A Heat Emergency in 76104: Turning Crisis into Community Call

Fort Worth’s 76104 ZIP code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas. This distressing reality stems from deep-rooted social determinants—poverty, food insecurity, limited healthcare access, and systemic disinvestment. During the summer months, extreme urban heat compounds these conditions, transforming this area into a danger zone for children, elders, and outdoor workers.

With climate change intensifying, the urgent question becomes: how will we respond?

The U.S. Postal Service’s Heat Illness Prevention Program (HIPP) has long served as a national standard for protecting mail carriers through preparedness, hydration, and education. Our proposal seeks to bring these same life-saving strategies to our streets, neighborhoods, and most at-risk residents.

Executive Summary

In collaboration with the Little Miss 6888th Historians, New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church proposes a bold five-year initiative:

“Get HIPP with the Little Miss 6888th Heat Safety Campaign.”

This initiative will create and sustain 25 full-time positions dedicated to educating, training, and equipping youth and families to prevent heat-related illnesses. Rooted in the 76104 community, the campaign will serve as a citywide pilot, positioning Fort Worth as a national model for grassroots heat resilience, youth leadership, and public health preparedness.

Program Goals & Objectives

• Launch a year-round, community-anchored urban heat safety workforce.

• Equip youth and families with life-saving skills aligned with HIPP guidelines.

• Reduce heat-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and fatalities.

• Celebrate and elevate postal workers as frontline heat safety heroes.

• Cultivate youth advocates for climate justice and community wellness.

Core Program Components

1. Heat Safety Workforce Development

Hire and train 25 local professionals to lead implementation:

• 1 Program Director – Rev. Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.

• 2 Assistant Directors – Youth and Community Engagement

• 3 Area Coordinators – Focus on 76104, East Fort Worth, and Stop Six

• 3 Community Health Educators – HIPP-trained and CPR-certified

• 5 Youth Mentors/Trainers – Promote peer education and leadership

• 2 Digital Engagement Specialists – Manage alerts, video, and outreach

• 2 Shade & Hydration Managers – Set up and monitor cooling stations

• 3 Distribution Officers – Conduct canvassing and materials outreach

• 4 Institutional Liaisons – Partner with schools, parks, and churches

All staff will serve as mobile heat safety ambassadors, trained in prevention, response, and education strategies.

2. Year-Round Youth Education & Certification

Deliver a structured curriculum to youth ages 10–18 covering:

• Heat illness prevention and early warning signs

• Hydration habits and sun protection practices

• Basic first aid and emergency response skills

• Environmental health and climate awareness

• Public speaking, leadership, and digital storytelling

Programs will run through schools, churches, and community centers, with annual certification and recognition events.

3. Monthly Heat Safety Community Campaigns

Deploy monthly neighborhood activations that include:

• Mobile hydration and misting stations

• Skits, songs, and performances by youth ambassadors

• Free safety supplies: hats, water bottles, SPF sunscreen, cooling towels

• Information booths and street teams offering real-time guidance

4. Mass Outreach & HIPP Resource Distribution

Distribute heat safety resources to 10,000+ households annually via:

• Direct mail with prevention tips and emergency contacts

• Door-to-door engagement by trained outreach teams

• Local newspaper inserts and multilingual social media blasts

• Visibility at citywide events, faith gatherings, and school functions

5. HIPP Zones in Public Spaces

Designate official “HIPP Zones” in parks, bus stops, and public areas in partnership with the city:

• Shaded seating with misting fans

• Water coolers activated during heat advisories

• QR-coded signage linking to youth-produced safety videos

6. Annual “Get HIPP” Festival & Awards Ceremony

Celebrate community resilience with an annual summer event featuring:

• Youth performances and public presentations

• Awards for outstanding heat safety champions and USPS heroes

• Exhibits by youth artists and scientists exploring climate issues

• Partner showcases and community resource booths

Projected Long-Term Impact

• Sustain 25 full-time community-based jobs

• Educate and certify over 1,000 youth annually

• Significantly reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths in target ZIP codes

• Establish Fort Worth as a national model for grassroots heat preparedness

• Preserve and honor the legacy of the 6888th Battalion through public service

Conclusion

The Little Miss 6888th Heat Safety Campaign is not simply a program—it is a people-powered movement grounded in legacy, led by local leaders, and driven by the urgency of climate justice. By blending the structure of the USPS HIPP program with community mobilization and youth empowerment, Fort Worth can rise as a beacon of urban heat resilience for the nation.

Together, let’s Get HIPP—and keep our neighborhoods safe, strong, and cool.

Contact:

Rev. Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.

Phone: 817-966-7625

Email: kptatum1@gmail.com

Website: www.newmountrose.com

Zelle: newmtrosembc@gmail.com