Helping Communities Become More Air Aware

• Local outdoor air quality conditions
• How air pollution impacts health
• Actions we can take to protect ourselves
• Ways we can improve the quality of the air we breathe

The program is especially important for children, including teens, and those with asthma or other respiratory illnesses, whose risk of experiencing health issues from air pollution is greater.

How Does It Work?

The program provides participating facilities with educational materials and colored flags that notify communities about local air quality conditions and correspond with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA's) Air Quality Index (AQI). By sharing educational materials with residents and flying the flags in a visible spot, the facilities help alert people to that particular day’s air quality, so they know when and how to modify their outdoor activities | Learn More > 

Who Can Participate?

• Schools,​ after-school/early-childcare facilities
• Environmental education centers
• Community health centers
• Fire departments, parks and recreation centers, tribes, and businesses

How to Participate

Step 1: Get Your Flags — Upon approval from your organization to participate, contact the Flag Program Coordinator at ADEQ to register and request flags. You will receive four flags (green, yellow, orange and red) at no cost. 

Step 2:  Educate and Inform — Choose a date to begin flying your flags, and inform students, staff, contractors and the community of the date. Train facility personnel about the Air Quality Index, the Flag Program and actions to take on days when air quality is unhealthy, so they can help administer the program, and make announcements to the community through newsletters, emails, flyers and other communication routes. You can also notify members of the larger community through a local newspaper, newsletter or radio station. Flag colors and recommended activities | View >

Step 3: Plan a Daily Process — Work with staff to designate roles and responsibilities each day. According to the schedule you set, assign someone at your facility to check the daily air quality forecast and to raise the corresponding color flag that shows the current day’s Air Quality Index (AQI) color in a visible spot. View today's air quality forecast for your area | View >

Step 4: Fly Your Flag — Each day, raise the current AQI color flag in a visible spot and follow guidance to help keep your community healthy.