Sustainability Planning Division staff joined Public Health Services and the Office of Emergency Services to provide a training to the Partner Relay Network. The Partner Relay Network is a network of organizations that serve limited-English proficient populations across the region. They have been recruited by the County’s Office of Border Health to serve as trusted messengers during times of emergency. In short, they receive information during an existing or upcoming emergency, with the goal of disseminating that information to their communities translated into the languages of the populations they serve.

The training began with an introduction to the Partner Relay Network, provided by Victor Ruiz of the Office of Border Health. Our own, Ariel Hamburger and Chad Spoon gave an overview of the Climate Action Plan Update, associated outreach efforts, and included poll questions to hear about the meeting participants’ concerns. Next up was Jo-Ann Julien with Public Health Services who provided a detailed overview about the public health impacts of climate change. The training concluded with an update from the Office of Emergency Services’ Marielena Castellanos and Barbara on an upcoming emergency drill exercise for the region.

The thirty-three people in attendance ranged from employees of community-based organizations to County employees and representatives from academic institutions. When asked, what concerns them most about climate change, many participants responded that they were concerned about extreme heat and wildfires. Food access and environmental justice issues also rose to the top.

Ultimately, the training was well-received and hopefully will lead to additional opportunities for collaboration and connection with the organizations in attendance. Thanks to our partners for including us!