Risk Communication Plan: Targeted Outreach to Form a Partner-relay System, County of San Diego, California

About the Program

Category: Risk and Emergency Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

The County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services, partnering with Health and Human Services, has recruited more than 300 individuals representing nonprofit organizations, houses of worship, and refugee resettlement agencies to form a network that assists in public communication during disasters and public health emergencies. The network has 17 ethnic media outlets, including Univision, Radio Latina, Korea Daily of San Diego, Filipino Press, Epoch Times (Chinese newspaper), and Tien Nuoc Toi Radio (Vietnamese radio). In addition, the County has partnerships with 17 faith-based organizations/houses of worship, 15 organizations serving the homeless population, and more than 70 community based organizations. These partners have agreed to assist the County by translating and disseminating critical disaster, safety and health information to residents who are monolingual non-English speakers or may be homeless. No money is exchanged – this partner relay system will facilitate the delivery of potentially lifesaving information to vulnerable residents by mobilizing community leader volunteers. This program provides a valuable service through partnerships rather than paid contractors.