b'MVRPC 2023 ANNUAL REPORTSUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS AND ENVIRONMENTMVRPC and RAPCA Work Together to Activate Air Quality Alerts for Wildfire Smoke Event Over the past few decades, the air quality in the Miami Valley Region has improved significantly. Yet we still experience several days each year when air quality is considered unhealthy. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measurement for reporting daily air quality. The AQI tracks ozone (smog) and particle pollution (PM2.5). When the AQI is forecasted to be above 101, MVRPC and the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency (RAPCA) issue an Air Quality Alert. Between 2018-2022, there were 15 days when ozone fell into the AQI category Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) and only one USG day in 2018 for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Sensitive Groups include people with respiratory diseases, older adults and young children.However, Eastern Canadian Wildfires negatively impacted the Regions air quality throughout June 2023. Nine Air Quality Alert days were issued. Of these days, the Miami Valley has had four ozone USG days and five PM2.5 USG days. On June 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , and 28 th , ozone AQI levels were 108, 122, 101, and 126, respectively, and on June 5 th , 6 th , 7 th , 27 thand 28 th , PM2.5 AQI levels were 117, 126, 148, 172, and 189 respectively. These numbers are much higher than we have traditionally seen for the Region. MVRPC has an action plan to activate when the Air Quality Alerts are issued for the Region. A press release is sent to all media partners in television, radio and print. Paid advertisements are also activated to place the alert message on billboards, newspapers and digital platforms. Social media posts are scheduled and shared by area partners. A partnership with the National Weather Service Wilmington to distribute the alert on their NOAA radio and affiliates has significantly increased the reach of the alert message. These actions along with the distribution from area partners helps keep residents informed and safe. Residents can sign up for alerts through EnviroFlash on MiamiValleyAir.org and follow the real-time AQI levels to help guide activities.Drive Electric Dayton and MVRPCs Air Quality Awareness Program Promote Electric Vehicles to Reduce Air PollutionDrive Electric Dayton hosted an Electric Vehicle (EV) showcase on Don Crawford Plaza at Day Air Ballpark ahead of the Dayton Dragons game on July 22, 2023. The EV Me Out to the Ballgame event offered attendees an opportunity to view different types of EVs and talk to the EV owners. MVRPCs Air Quality Awareness Program was also there, promoting ways to reduce air pollution such as driving EVs, not idling your car while waiting, and refueling in the evening.Learn more actions at MiamiValleyAir.org.22'