Today, the 100% Clean Energy Economy Act of 2019 was introduced in Congress by U.S. Reps. Donald McEachin, Deb Haaland, Debbie Dingell, Earl Blumenauer, Paul Tonko, and Bobby Rush. In response to the legislation, which would transition our nation to a 100% clean economy by 2050 and require net-zero carbon pollution, Hispanic Access Foundation President and CEO Maite Arce released the following statement:

Today, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to advance legislation to provide full, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act (S. 1081), was introduced by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.). A bipartisan House companion bill (H.R. 3195) was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee in June. In response to the passage, Maite Arce, Hispanic Access Foundation’s president and CEO, released the following statement:

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

For over 10 years, Hispanic Access Foundation has connected Latinos to partners and opportunities, improving lives and creating an equitable society. We are a mission-driven, community-centered organization that works to bring equity and opportunity to all Latinos. We develop leaders, networks, and partners to champion a better America for all. How we do this work is what makes us unique. Hispanic Access Foundation builds bridges of access to and from our Latino communities, we develop leaders to move us from the sidelines to the frontlines, we elevate voices in all areas of life, maximize their collective voices to build a better America for all, and we cultivate trust-based relationships to fuel our mission-driven vision. Whether we’re helping Latinos build their financial literacy, explore workforce opportunities, or become environmental stewards, trust and a commitment to equity is at the core of everything we do. We currently have dynamic leadership and a strong founding board with reputable, connected, and high- performing members. We are now ready to scale up our organization and our board to a new level to serve our stakeholders.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for multiple individuals who want to help us build the next chapter of increased impact, growth, and sustainability for Hispanic Access Foundation.

An ideal Hispanic Access Foundation board member is driven by:

• Dreams for a Bright Future
• Empowerment That Fosters Equity
• Untold Stories of Hidden Strength
• Purpose in Our Community
• Setting a Standard Worth Trusting

You are a...

• Mission-driven individual with a passion for uplifting Latino communities.
• Bridge-builder who can forge strong alliances and networks, grow partnerships, and cultivate influence.
• Person who demonstrates a commitment by making the time to be fully engaged during and between meetings and events, contributing financial resources, and showing up for the organization, other members, and the cause.
• Supporter of healthy communities, stewardship of the environment, and workforce and leadership development as critical elements of creating a bright and fulfilling future for Latinos across the U.S.

Previously experienced and effective as a board member, including:

• Collaborative decision-maker and strategic thinker
• Active participant with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience with and connections to large leadership networks
• Comfortable with ambiguity that accompanies organizational growth and transition

A good fit with the values and culture of Hispanic Access Foundation, including:

• Trustworthy: integrity, honesty, respect, do what you say you will do.
• Dedicated: Initiative, self-motivated, loyal, hardworking.
• Service to Community: Mission-focused, committed to equity, teamwork, collaborative.
• Versatile: Nimble, adapting, prioritizing, inquisitive, flexible.
• HAF First: Prioritizes organization’s success and sustainability.
• Excellence: High quality and standards, outstanding, never settles, always looking to improve.

A professional with one or more of the following backgrounds:

• Business acumen
• Entrepreneurial leadership
• Philanthropy
• Social enterprise leadership
• Government and/or private partnerships
• Human Resource leadership
• Law expertise

WHAT WE WILL ASK OF YOU

An ideal Hispanic Access Foundation board member will…

• Inform our strategic direction, oversee our financial health, and ensure that best practices in management and leadership are followed.
• Commit to a multi-year term of representing the best interests of the organization, its staff, partners, and volunteers.
• Be willing to help make connections to secure funds and ready to make a personally significant financial contribution.
• Actively collaborate with current board members and cultivate new members.
• Be willing to devote sufficient time to their duties and responsibilities, which include (among other duties):
  • attendance at 3 board meetings per year (2 virtual/1 in person)
  • attendance 1 annual event ○ be prepared to serve to the end of their 3-year term
  • serve as an informed and compelling ambassador to expand Hispanic Access Foundation’s influence and effectiveness with individuals, the public, and other organizations
• Assume expenses for travel, lodging, and miscellaneous costs associated with events and meetings.

HOW TO APPLY

We would love to hear from you. While we primarily serve Hispanic communities, we are open to diversity in all its expressions. Our effectiveness is enhanced when equity and inclusiveness are practiced and protected throughout our organizational governance, culture, and staffing. Recruiting and retaining a diverse board is a priority at Hispanic Access Foundation.

Please visit this link to tell us about your experience and passion for this work. We’ll be taking nominations until October 22 (feel free to self-nominate). We’ll acknowledge receipt of all submissions and reach back out by October 29 for more information to those who appear to be the best fit for advancement in the process. Offers will be extended by November 15, and a board retreat and training will be conducted in January 2022.

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Potrero Group is honored to coordinate board member recruitment on behalf of Hispanic Access Foundation. Potrero Group supports innovative leaders and organizations making a difference in the world by providing rigorous strategy and business planning, organizational effectiveness, and nuanced search services to mission- driven organizations. To join our mailing list and be notified of future opportunities, please visit www.PotreroGroup.com.

Create Your Own I Am Cheo

We may live in different geographies, eat different foods, speak different languages or live very different lives. But, we are all connected through our humanity and the devastation suffered through wildfires, pollution, extreme weather and climate change. Help spread this message!

• Step 1: Record your own video “I Am Cheo” portrait
  Simply use your smart phone to record yourself saying “I Am Cheo” into your camera. 3-5 seconds are all that it takes. Want extra credit? Record yourself in an interesting place or with a cool backdrop.
  
  
• Step 2: Share it on social media
  Post your video portait on social media along with the link to www.IAmCheo.org and #IAmCheo. Don’t forget to tag @hispanicaccess because we’ll share it too!

Background:

• Check out the new @hispanicaccess film #IAmCheo that explores #Latinos, #EnvironmentalJustice and #Wildfires through eyes of young Latino, Cheo, in a sweeping cinematic journey across the lands that are both his history and his future. http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• Marginalized and vulnerable communities face the most severe consequences of increasingly damaging wildfires. Latino communities are speaking up and ready for policymakers to take action to address climate change. #LatinosForClimateAction #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• #IAmCheo unites all communities in the need to become advocates against climate change to urge Congress to take action to prepare and protect vulnerable communities from the devastating natural disasters, like wildfires. http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• How can Latino and other vulnerable communities be prepared before, during, and after wildfires to secure their safety? Our Wildfire Management Toolkit can help! #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• The new film #IAmCheo shines a spotlight on the Latino community and the effects of #climatechange and #wildfires. The #WildfireManagementToolkit help communities access the services they need to plan, respond, recover and adapt. http://www.iamcheo.org 

Regulation/Policies:

• Latinos experience a higher housing cost burden making it harder to evacuate or rebuild after a fire. We’re ready for policy to help mitigate those consequences in the face of catastrophic wildfires. #LatinosForClimateAction #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• Policy that ensures equal access to all communities to available resources is essential in assisting communities in danger of devastating wildfires. #LatinosForClimateAction #WildfireManagementToolkit #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• The Latino voice is crucial in proactive and integrative land use planning to prepare and protect communities from the devastating effects of wildfires. #LatinosForClimateAction #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org

Public/Mental Health:

• In 2015, 19.5% of the Latino population was not covered by health insurance, creating a disadvantage for the community in receiving the proper health services to rebuild after devastating natural disasters. Our #WildfireManagementToolkit provides resources that can help. #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• Wildfire smoke and air pollution pose higher risks for illness to Latino communities due to the lack of appropriate and inadequate services and resources. Find resources to help in our #WildfireManagementToolkit. #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• PTSD, depression, and stress are often triggered by devastating natural disasters, like wildfires. These trauma-related health concerns are discussed in the #WildfireManagementToolkit. #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org

Response/Recovery:

• There are significant barriers and challenges in immigrant communities in the face of emergency preparedness and disaster relief. How can we break down these barriers to ensure secure re-building after disasters to all communities? #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• Only 39% of Latino households have taken any steps to prepare for an emergency. Emergency management systems NEED to be structured by taking the needs of Latino communities into consideration. #PlanningWithLatinos #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org 

Host a screening

Help spread the word in your community about the importance of engaging Latinos in climate action, emergency management planning, and environmental policies. Click here on how to get started.

Become a CHEO Ambassador

Help engage Latinos in your community to act on climate and prepare for, respond to, or recover from emergencies, natural disasters and the adverse effects of climate change.

Sign Up as a Bilingual Community Hotline Responder

Sign up to be a bilingual emergency hotline responder when natural disasters strike communities. This is a program Hispanic Access Foundation will be building in the next few years to train volunteers to answer questions from monolingual and bilingual Spanish speakers during emergencies. Once the program is developed, we will reach back out to you to provide additional information about how to get trained and involved.

Engage your elected officials

Talk to your city council member(s), mayor, board of county supervisors/commissioners, state legislators, or member(s) of congress about urgently acting to address climate change and mitigate the effects on marginalized and underserved communities

• Schedule a meeting with your representative
• Ask your representatives publicly on social media to take urgent action to address climate change and the adverse effects on Latino communities. See our social media guidance for ideas.
• Invite them to an I am Cheo screening.

Partner with organizations

Collaborate with organizations in your area already taking action to address climate change and engaging Latino and other diverse communities in environmental issues.

Reduce your carbon footprint

While we urge decision makers and government bodies to transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources, it is also important for us to reduce our carbon footprint. Research online about how to DYI in your home, commute, or other daily activities. Also research programs in your area to reduce your own energy and water consumption.

Share the film

Use the link IamCheo.org to share the film with your friends, family and network!

Take to Social Media

See our social media guidance for ideas

A Guide for Planning a Screening

Film Synopsis

Inspired by the poem, I am Joaquin, by Chicano poet Corky Gonzales, this unique film tells the story of a young boy named Cheo who, from the sights and smells of his abuela’s kitchen, takes a sweeping cinematic journey across the lands that are both his history and his future - he sees the gorges of the Grand Canyon, the antiquity of New Mexican acequias, the majesty of the Rockies, and the urban warmth of downtown Los Angeles. On this journey, Cheo realizes the he is formed by these places - but they need his help, as they are devastated by wildfires, pollution, climate change, and disrepair. Cheo then decides to raise his voice and take action to protect the environment for his familia and generations to come, as it is him and he is it.

1. What is Your Big Picture Goal?

By setting a big picture goal from the outset, a film screening can be an engaging tool to mobilize your community, organizations, and legislators to action. Ask yourself:

What is your big picture goal for screening this film?

Who would you like to engage to take meaningful action?

Some examples to consider:

• Family & friends
• Elected officials: city council, board of commissioners/supervisors, state legislators, members of congress
• Classmates, students at your university, or young professionals in your network
• Fellow colleagues and professional networks
• Fellow church members, faith leaders, or your faith network in your region
• Local community groups, libraries, community centers, or nonprofits
• Schools and teachers

2. Secure the film

If you would like a digital download of the film in HD, a DVD or USB thumb drive, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or (202) 640-4342.

3. Choose a venue

If you need support in finding the right venue for your event, please contact Hispanic Access Foundation.

4. Choose a date & time

How does the timing of the event might influence attendance and your target audience? Another consideration might be to show the film during Latino Conservation Week or Hispanic Heritage Month

5. Panel Discussion?

Are you interested in hosting a panel discussion or roundtable directly after the screening of the film? Consider how the panelists or guest speaker contribute to your big picture goal. If you would like support in finding or reaching out to experts or guest speakers, please contact Hispanic Access Foundation.

6. Register your screening

Please register your screening at IamCheo.org. Once registered, you will have access to our team and additional resources from Hispanic Access Foundation.

7. Promote your event

Please register your event and contact Hispanic Access Foundation if you would like support in promoting your event.

Emergency management systems have historically been built and structured without the needs of Latino communities taken into consideration. Due to this lack of consideration, Latinos are more likely to experience delayed alerts, slow access to information and emergency response services, in addition to inadequate or insufficient disaster relief and recovery resources. In order to truly build equitable emergency management systems, agencies, organizations, and decision makers must proactively collaborate at all levels - local, federal, and state - and plan with their Latino constituents to build response and recovery systems that serve all members of society.

• From disaster damage assessments to final permits on rebuilt homes, the chain of data collections, analyses, and decisions is always complicated, often inconsistently regulated, and likely to leave gaps through which the neediest and most underserved disaster victims can slip.
• One study of Hispanic renters found that 66% do not have renters insurance, 5% do not know, and 29% are insured.
• While 79% of Latino adults in the U.S. believe preparedness is a very important issue, only 39% of Latino households have taken any steps to prepare for an emergency.
• A 2007 study found that of 301 organizational websites on emergency preparedness - including government, private, nonprofit, community, and academic - the vast majority of organizations involved in emergency response preparedness had not integrated the needs of racially and ethnically diverse communities. Of these organizations, 49% made no mention of these diverse communities, 38% made some mention primarily in the context of translated materials, and 13% did focus on these diverse communities.

A Duke University study identified significant barriers and challenges in immigrant communities in the face of emergency preparedness and disaster relief:

• Lack of inclusion of all community members in disaster planning
• Linguistic barriers in disaster preparedness and response
• Lack of readily available translated/understandable preparedness materials
• Lack of easily accessible translated emergency alerts
• Lack of translated signage and culturally sensitive bilingual/multilingual service providers Lack of cultural competence by service providers
• Failure to inform immigrants of their right to disaster aid Failure to address fears of deportation/public charge and distrust of government
• Discrimination and racial profiling leading to exclusion of individuals from shelters/aid and inquiries about immigration status
• Unique barriers facing immigrants
• Lack of transportation assistance (especially for migrant workers) Unclear process for responding to loss of documents (by USCIS)
• Failure to acknowledge structural inequities and different social structures in diverse, rural communities
• Lack of coordination between different government agencies and tiers in disaster response

Research & Resources for Solutions

As the Latino population continues to grow in both urban and rural communities, decision makers must address how traditional emergency management systems have not equitably served marginalized and vulnerable communities in order to make a proactive shift to ensure all members of society are prepared for wildfires and have equitable access to resources and services to respond to and recover after these disasters.

• Emergency Managers Toolkit: Meeting the Needs of Latino Communities 
• FEMA - Civil Rights Title VI in Federally Assisted Programs 
• A Checklist for Emergency Managers
• Tips and Tools for Reaching Limited English Proficient Communities in Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery 
• Guidance to State, Local Governments, Other Federally Assisted Recipients Engaged in Emergency Preparedness 
• NALEO National Policy Institute on Emergency Response & Management 
• National and Seasonal Farmworker Emergency Preparedness Planning Guide 
• National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Preparedness for Culturally Diverse Communities 
• A Guide for Including People with Disabilities in Disaster Preparedness Planning 
• A Mobile Medical Care Approach Targeting Underserved Populations in Post-Hurricane Katrina Mississippi 
• Disaster Aid Eligibility Processes Risk Cutting Out Low-Income Households in Need 
• Center for American Progress - After the Fire: Vulnerable Communities Respond and Rebuild 
• Problems with damage assessments can keep disaster victims from receiving the help they need 
• How Better Data Can Inform Decisions and Improve Disaster Recovery 
• National Low Income Housing Coalition: Disaster Recovery Coalition - 7 Principles of Disaster Recovery 
• National Low Income Housing Coalition: Disaster Housing Recovery Educational Resources 
• Google Crisis Map: Weather, Hazards & Emergency Preparedness 
• Fire, Weather & Avalanche: Active Fire & Weather Maps 
• FEMA’s Failure to Address Long-Term Housing Needs of Survivors 
• Disaster Rental Assistance Programs at FEMA and HUD 
• Addressing the Needs of Immigrants and Limited English Proficient (LEP) Communities in Disaster Planning and Relief 

Media & Communications

Providing alerts, updates and communicating with the public is critical for successful emergency management systems. Ensuring these communications are accessible to all members of a community, including individuals with limited English proficiency, is not only good practice, but it is also the law under Title VI of the Civil Right Act of 1964. Historically, however, emergency management systems have overlooked Latino communities that speak Spanish and indigenous languages. An overlooked strategy to quickly and efficiently engage Latino communities before, during, and after a wildfire is through Spanish language media outlets and other media platforms commonly used by Latinos. It is critical that decision makers proactively survey and engage Latino populations in their communities to ensure that emergency response communications strategies accurately reflect the unique needs of Latinos and other diverse communities in their jurisdiction.

• 95% of Hispanic consumers tune into the radio in an average week.
• In 2010, the number of US Latino households with TV sets increased by 3.1%, which was three times more than all households in the U.S. general market, and television advertising grew 10%, doubling the bounce that network TV overall received.
• More than 90% of Hispanics under 50 use the Internet, compared to 67% for those 50 to 64 and 42% for those 65 and over. 94% of U.S. Latinos who speak primarily English use the Internet, compared to 86% of those who are bilingual and 74% of those who speak primarily Spanish.
• In a 2018 survey of Spanish-speaking participants about their experiences during the wildfires in northern California, over 60% of respondents turned to TV outlets, over 40% to Facebook, over 40% to Nixle, over 30% to radio outlets, over 20% to websites, and less than 10% to newspapers for information when the fires first broke out.

Research & Resources for Solutions

Proactively engaging Latinos in emergency management planning and communication systems will ensure critical emergency response and recovery information reaches all members of a community. Latino communities are diverse and the manner in which families and communities share information and communicate can vary depending on their primary language, national origin, socioeconomic status and access to technology, and preferred media platforms. It is essential for decision makers, agencies and emergency response managers to understand the unique communication patterns among Latinos in their communities to adequately and efficiently communicate with all members of society.

• Desconectado: How Emergency Information Got Lost in Translation During the Northern California Wildfires. 
• Reaching and Engaging with Hispanic Communities: A Research-Informed Communication Guide for Nonprofits, Policymakers, and Funders 
• Ready, Set, Go - Media Advisory Template | Spanish template 
• Wildfire Safety Social Media Toolkit 

Many Latinos lack adequate access to healthcare services due to a variety of reasons from being uninsured or underinsured, transportation, linguistic or cultural barriers and literacy, to mistrust of agencies or providers, or inappropriate and inadequate care and follow up. These challenges are exacerbated by emergencies such as wildfires, which lead to increased health risks. Smoke and air pollution from wildfires can aggravate existing health conditions such as asthma, chronic diseases, and disproportionately affect the young and elderly. It is important that communities, decision makers, organizations, and legislators understand the public and mental health risks disproportionately experienced by Latinos during and after a wildfire.

• In 2015, 19.5% of the Latino population was not covered by health insurance, as compared to 6.3% of the white population that is uninsured.
• In 2015, 17.5% of Latinos from all age groups did not have a ‘’usual place to go for medical care”, as compared to 11.2% of their non-Latino white counterparts. Whereas for young adults (aged 19-25), these percentages were 34.9% for Latinos and 25.7% for the non-Latino white population.
• 60% of US Latinos struggle to communicate with a healthcare provider due to language or cultural barriers.
• A 2017 study found that 70% of Latinos list family, friends, churches, or community groups as their main sources of health information and 83% obtain some of their health-related information from media sources (television, radio, newspapers, magazines, or the internet).
• The poverty among Latinos in 2016 was 19.4%, compared to the national poverty rate of 12.7%. This means that 1 in 5 Latinos will not have the economic resources to prepare, adapt, or cope with health issues associated with wildfires and poor air quality.

Asthma

• Latino children are 60% more at risk than their white counterparts of having asthma attacks exacerbated by air pollution. Direct exposure to wildfire smoke can disproportionately affect Latinos already struggling with asthma.
• Compared to non-Latino whites, Latinos with asthma are less likely to be prescribed appropriate asthma medications and less likely to have access to asthma specialists.
• Those that have an asthma emergency that sends them to the ER or hospital are less likely to receive follow-up care or an asthma action plan.

The high rates of asthma among Latino populations in combination with the lack of or inappropriate services and inadequate socio-economic resources, leads to higher risk of illness and death among Latinos when asthma and other chronic diseases are aggravated by wildfire smoke and air pollution.

Mental Health

• One study found 36% of Hispanics with depression receive care, versus 60% of whites.
• Approximately 33% of Latino adults with mental illness receive treatment each year compared to the U.S. average of 43%.
• Recent Latino immigrants are at risk for traumatic exposure both before and after migration, PTSD, depression and stress associated with the immigration experience and the challenges of integration versus marginalization in the US. Individuals who come from countries with a history of political violence often have multiple traumatic experiences.

The stress and potential traumatization caused by wildfires, emergency evacuation, or interaction with government agencies during these events, only puts recent Latino immigrants at higher risk of developing or exacerbating mental health issues.

Environmental Exposure

• There are 2.5 - 3 million farmworkers in the United States, 80% of whom are Hispanic or Latino. Latinos make up the highest percentage of natural resource laborers, 16.8% -more than 6% than any other race/ethnicity.
• These high rates of outdoor employment leads to higher risks by Latino workers of being exposed to unhealthy levels of smoke and air pollution during and after a wildfire.

For additional information on the effects of wildfires on public and mental health, review: Psychiatric Disorders Among Adults Seeking Emergency Disaster Assistance After a Wildland-Urban Interface Fire.

Research & Resources for Solutions

Public and mental health resources and services are important for thriving societies. It is critical that decision makers understand how these resources and services can be integrated into wildfire planning, response and recovery plans, particularly in efforts that address the barriers and unique needs of Latino communities and families.

• Wildfire Mental Health Collaborative 
• Wildfire & Health 
• Hispanics and Healthcare in the United States: Access, Information and Knowledge 
• A Guide to Choosing and Adapting Culturally and Linguistically Competent Health Promotion Materials 
• Mental Health After a Wildfire (Boulder County) 
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Wildfire Resources 
• National Latino Behavioral Health Association 
• Visit Air Now for the air quality index in your community 
• Fires and Your Health 
• Reduce Exposure to Ash After Returning Home 
• Wearing a Respirator Suitable for Wildfire Smoke (N95 Mask) 
• Latino Worker Safety Center 
• California Worker Safety & Health in Wildfire Regions 
• California - Protecting Outdoor Workers Exposed to Smoke From Wildfires
• California Medical Baseline Allowance 

Land Use Planning & Cost Burdens

Policies and regulations at all levels of government - local, state, and federal - can have profound effects on communities and families before, during, and after a wildfire. It is critical for community members, organizations, agencies, and decision makers to understand the intersectionality of land use planning, zoning, insurance policy, affordable housing, transportation and other urban and rural policies in order to survive, mitigate illness, death, and property damage, and recover from catastrophic disasters such as wildfires. Proactive and integrated policies and regulations particularly matter for our most underserved and marginalized communities that rely on prepared, organized, and coordinated agencies and organizations to provide critical services during emergencies, which already expose these communities to even more vulnerabilities.

Latinos have a higher poverty rate compared to the national average, experience a higher housing cost burden, and have a greater ratio of renters compared to homeowners. Because of these circumstances, Latino communities are at a greater risk of rental gouging and price gouging for goods and services, in addition to difficulty in accessing affordable housing, recovery services, and disaster relief after a wildfire. When discussing solutions for wildfire preparedness and mitigation through policies and regulations, it is also important to consider energy insecurity, poverty rates and low income households, particularly in deciding whether ratepayers, taxpayers, utilities or other funding structures bear the cost burden of preparing for, recovering, and adapting to life with wildfires.

• The amount of Latinos who are “housing cost burdened” — spending 30% or more of household income on housing costs — grew from 42.4% in 2000 to 56.9% in 2015.
• More Latinos rent their homes (54%) than their white peers (28%).
• Since 1990, the Latino population in the rural United States has more than doubled. A 2010 study found that overall, rates of Latino segregation were the highest when they settled into new destinations lacking established Latino communities, particularly in suburban and rural areas.
• 12% of US Latinos do not have access to a car, almost double the percentage of their white counterparts (6.5%). Latinos are more likely than any other group to live in a multigenerational household with young and/or aging family members who can’t drive themselves to school, work, healthcare and other services.

Not only is mobility an issue for rural Latinos to access schools, jobs, healthcare, food, and other daily services and necessities, but it is also a critical component to evacuate and access services, school, and employment during and after a wildfire.

• About 10% of California’s wildfires are triggered by utility equipment. While this is a small percentage, they are often some of the largest and most damaging fires. San Diego Gas & Electric reports that 60% of its lines are buried underground, including rural power lines that run through wildfire prone areas.
• Over 40% of Latino households are energy insecure - they cannot afford the energy required to heat and cool their homes, refrigerate food and medicine, or they make the tough decision between paying their electric bill or paying for food, medical care, and other basic necessities. Households experiencing energy insecurity were also more likely to live in homes built before 1990.

With increasing threats of wildfires resulting in higher costs for wildfire damages, liability, recovery, and utility-caused wildfire prevention and mitigation strategies, there are discussions and legislation being introduced across the country regarding the funding structures, and who should be responsible for these costs - utilities, tax payers, ratepayers, or other funding structures. It is critical for communities, decision makers, public utility commissions and legislators to understand the cost burden and impact the resulting policies and regulations will have on low-income and Latino communities.

Additional Resources

• Land Use Planning to Reduce Wildfire Risk
• Community Wildfire Safety Through Regulation
• How Do Power Lines Cause Wildfires?
• The Link Between Power Lines and Wildfires
• Wildfire Prevention Technologies
• How Can Intelligent Power Line Monitoring Mitigate Wildfire Risks?
• California Alternate Rates for Energy & Family Electric Rate Assistance
• Undergrounding: Understanding the Facts

Research & Resources for Solutions

From prohibiting price gouging, expediting building permits and fees for recovery, implementing power line monitoring, to working with Latino planners and understanding how to build for and with Latino communities - decision makers have the opportunity to incorporate existing and successful land use planning tools and work with organizations and members of their community to plan for, build and adapt their municipalities and states to be more resilient to wildfires and inclusive of all constituents.

• California Has Updated Its Price Gouging Regulations for Disaster Zones
• Sonoma County Resiliency Permit Center 
• American Planning Association - Latinos & Planning Division 
• Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire 
• Latino Lifestyle & The New Urbanism: Synergy Against Sprawl 
• FEMA - Your Role in Fire Adapted Communities: How the fire service, local elected officials, and the public can work together 
• Wildland Hazards & Building Code 
• Disaster Safety - Regional Wildfire Retrofit Guides 
• Ready, Set, Go - Talking Points for RSG Adoption by Local Decision Makers 
• Center for American Progress - Before the Fire: Protecting Vulnerable Communities from Wildfire 
• Washington State Electric Utility Wildland Fire Prevention Task Force, Substitute Senate Bill 5305 
• Power Blackouts to Prevent Wildfires 
• California Approves Power Outages to Prevent Wildfires