Ensuring equitable access for vulnerable communities in times of disaster: Lessons learned from the California wildfires

In 2007 devastating wildfires engulfed 368,316 acres and destroyed 1,751 homes and businesses in San Diego County, California. During the firestorm Latino immigrant communities in San Diego County faced pronounced barriers to disaster preparedness education, evacuation information, health care and relief services. Lack of transportation, combined with the political climate, fear of federal and local law enforcement, complex evacuation systems and lack of multilingual and multicultural information represent a few of these barriers. As a result, many immigrant families did not utilize evacuation shelters, access available post-disaster resources and health care, or evacuate despite mandatory orders. Participants will take away a better understanding of the complex conditions impacting emergency preparedness for this vulnerable community as well as a set of lessons learned and best practices necessary to ensuring them equitable access to emergency preparedness information and resources. Specifically, the presentation will provide technical assistance to participants on how to create a disaster preparedness plan that is inclusive of vulnerable communities. Emphasis will be placed on how to capitalize community assets, how to integrate culturally and linguistically appropriate services, how to create important partnerships, and how to build capacity at all levels.