BLOOMINGTON — As dangerous summer heat and high humidity settle over South-Central Indiana, Monroe County emergency officials have officially issued a heat advisory and activated regional cooling stations.
The emergency cooling sites will be open starting Tuesday, June 30th, through Friday, July 3rd, to provide a temporary, safe respite for residents—especially those who lack access to air conditioning at home.
According to the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency, these cooling stations are strictly designed for individuals to walk in, drop their core body temperatures in a climate-controlled environment, and safely move on. They are not equipped to handle overnight stays, meals, or laundry services.
Available Cooling Centers and Hours
Data from the Monroe County Emergency GIS network outlines the primary facilities open to the public this week. The network is split between area fire departments and Monroe County Public Library branches:
Regional Fire Stations (Open Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
- Bloomington Fire Station 1 (Headquarters): 300 E. 4th Street, Bloomington
- Ellettsville Fire Department Headquarters: 5080 W. State Road 46, Ellettsville
- Monroe Fire Protection District Station 22 (Perry): 3953 S. Kennedy Drive, Bloomington
- Monroe Fire Protection District Station 21 (Clear Creek): 9094 S. Strain Ridge Road, Bloomington (Pet-friendly)
- Monroe Fire Protection District Station 23 (Indian Creek): 8019 S. Rockport Road, Bloomington
- Monroe Fire Protection District Station 25 (Bloomington): 5081 N. Old State Road 37, Bloomington
- Monroe Fire Protection District Station 29 (Van Buren): 2130 S. Kirby Road, Bloomington (Pet-friendly)
- Monroe Fire Protection District Station 24 (Benton): 7606 E. State Road 45, Unionville
Public Library Sites (Operating Standard Business Hours)
- Monroe County Public Library (Downtown Branch): 303 E. Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington (Open Mon–Thu 9 a.m. –9 p.m.; Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
- Southwest Branch Library: 890 W. Gordon Pike, Bloomington (Open Mon–Thu 9 a.m. –7 p.m.; Fri 10 a.m.– 6 p.m.)
- Ellettsville Branch Library: 600 W. Temperance St, Ellettsville (Open Mon–Thu 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Fri 10 a.m.–6 p.m.)
Pet-Friendly Notice: For residents seeking shelter alongside domestic animals, Fire Station 21 (Clear Creek) and Fire Station 29 (Van Buren) will permit household pets. For the safety of staff and other citizens, all pets must be brought inside a secure kennel or carrier.
Interactive Map Resource
Monroe County GIS mapping personnel have launched a live dashboard tracking real-time facility availability, capacity warnings, and exact driving directions across the county grid.
To view the live, full-screen map layout and find the closest operational facility to your immediate coordinates, visit the Monroe County Emergency Management Interactive Cooling Map.
County officials urge residents to monitor elderly neighbors, stay well-hydrated, and limit prolonged physical exertion outdoors during the heat spike. If you or someone you know begins experiencing signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, call 911 immediately.
