In California, wildfires have become annual events. They destroy hundreds of thousands of acres of land and contaminate the air with toxic pollutants. While everyone is affected, poor air quality disproportionately impacts migratory and seasonal agricultural workers (MSAWs) who work outdoors.
Understanding the urgent need for services following the 2007 San Diego wildfires that destroyed more than 1,000 residences and nearly 200,000 acres, Vista Community Clinic (VCC) initiated their emergency preparedness efforts with a focus on their MSAW patients. In 2023, the center served nearly 3,600 agricultural workers and their families. To learn how best to communicate preparation plans in the event of a wildfire, VCC coordinates outreach efforts that include focus groups with members of the MSAW community. They teach five steps that MSAWs can take to prepare for fires and other disasters. These include signing up for California OES Wireless Emergency Alerts and creating a robust preparedness plan (e.g., back-up electricity options, medication, a battery powered radio, a family evacuation map, contacts outside of the county or state, and a go bag with necessities). Deysi Merino-Gonzalez, the VCC’s Migrant Health and Outreach Services Program Coordinator, says the center has conducted ten emergency preparation trainings with key community leaders and grassroots groups, who have been quite receptive. Trainings range in topic from wildfire preparedness and heat-related illness mitigation to building an evacuation plan.
This program provides MSAWs access to culturally appropriate education and health care by providing transportation, food distribution, and care management, including appointment booking and additional support for patients with chronic diseases. They have two health educators who have been on the team for over 30 years and have developed a great partnership with local growers. Additionally, the program focuses on improving living, working and health conditions through a Farmworker CARE Coalition (FWCC). “The FWCC is a collaborative of local agencies and community-based organizations dedicated to improving the living and working of agricultural workers in San Deigo’s north county region,” said Merino-Gonzalez.
MSAWs often live in rural areas, leaving them with limited access to information, services, and resources about or during wildfires. VCC recommends they sign up for free emergency alerts through their county to receive critical wildfire updates. These alerts can be sent via phone calls, emails, or text messages. "We want to make sure we keep our families safe,” she said. “This work would not be possible without a dedicated, passionate team that goes above and beyond to ensure that we are providing high-quality services,” said Merino-Gonzalez. “They treat patients with compassion and care, because the staff is from the community.”