Torrico bill to strengthen emergency communications to limited-English speaking populations passes
California Political Desk
May 20, 2008
SACRAMENTO – In a state frequently plagued with wildfires, floods and earthquakes, the ability of emergency services to reach limited English speakers could be the difference between life and death.
Under a bill carried by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) the needs of LEP populations would be incorporated into emergency preparedness planning, response and recovery training. The state Assembly passed the bill, AB 1930, by a vote of 64 to 0 today.
"The need to use multiple languages when reaching out in emergencies is critical as we have seen from previous disasters," Torrico said. "The need to communicate clearly and relay vital information is extremely important in a state as diverse as California."
In California approximately seven million residents are limited English proficient. The state´s Little Hoover Commission has highlighted the importance of developing plans to ensure the needs of vulnerable populations, including those with limited proficiency in English, are met during a catastrophe. Wildfires in southern California, as well as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, resulted in thousands of limited English speakers receiving evacuation orders only in English.
"During and right after a disaster, the most important thing you need besides, food, water, and shelter, is information," said Leilani Aguinaldo Yee, a legislative advocate with Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality. "If disaster victims can´t get information about where to get help, or they can´t understand the information given to them, the risk of injury or death increases. This bill will help save lives."
The bill would require the state´s Director of Emergency Services to incorporate local ethnic community-based organizations and ethnic media outlets in communication plans to alert them about emergency information.
Under a bill carried by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) the needs of LEP populations would be incorporated into emergency preparedness planning, response and recovery training. The state Assembly passed the bill, AB 1930, by a vote of 64 to 0 today.
"The need to use multiple languages when reaching out in emergencies is critical as we have seen from previous disasters," Torrico said. "The need to communicate clearly and relay vital information is extremely important in a state as diverse as California."
In California approximately seven million residents are limited English proficient. The state´s Little Hoover Commission has highlighted the importance of developing plans to ensure the needs of vulnerable populations, including those with limited proficiency in English, are met during a catastrophe. Wildfires in southern California, as well as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, resulted in thousands of limited English speakers receiving evacuation orders only in English.
"During and right after a disaster, the most important thing you need besides, food, water, and shelter, is information," said Leilani Aguinaldo Yee, a legislative advocate with Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality. "If disaster victims can´t get information about where to get help, or they can´t understand the information given to them, the risk of injury or death increases. This bill will help save lives."
The bill would require the state´s Director of Emergency Services to incorporate local ethnic community-based organizations and ethnic media outlets in communication plans to alert them about emergency information.
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