Strengthening Wildfire Readiness in Monterey County
The Community Emergency Response Volunteers (CERV) proudly thanks the Cal Fire Foundation for its generous support of our “Reaching Out to Vulnerable Farmworker Families” initiative. Funded through the Statewide Climate-Related Wildfire and Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Support Grant Program, this project mobilized trusted messengers to reach farmworker families with lifesaving wildfire preparedness resources.
Trusted Messengers Making a Difference
Through this yearlong project, CERV worked with five bilingual and trilingual community leaders who engaged more than 3,100 farmworkers and family members across Monterey County. These “trusted messengers” delivered essential information about wildfire safety, evacuation planning, and air quality protection, using the languages most understood by local families: Spanish, English, and Mixteco.
Together, they:
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Distributed 4,600 fire safety flyers and visual guides in multiple languages.
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Helped 540+ households enroll in CalAlerts for emergency notifications.
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Partnered with schools, clinics, and food distribution hubs to reach residents where they already gather.
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Built a peer-to-peer communication network that continues to strengthen community trust and resilience.
Lessons and Opportunities
The project revealed both successes and opportunities for continued growth. Transportation barriers remain a major concern during wildfire evacuations, and air-quality safety education is critically needed for outdoor workers.
These insights will guide CERV’s next phase of outreach, as we collaborate with partners to improve mobility planning, expand environmental health education, and strengthen emergency communications for vulnerable residents.
Gratitude for Partnership
CERV extends heartfelt appreciation to the Cal Fire Foundation for its commitment to equity in disaster preparedness. This partnership demonstrates the power of community-based outreach in ensuring that no one is left behind during emergencies.
“When families hear vital safety information in their own language from people they know and trust, preparedness becomes personal—and that saves lives.”
— CERV Project Team
Looking Ahead
The foundation laid through this initiative will continue to inform CERV’s future work in Monterey County and beyond. By empowering trusted community voices, the Cal Fire Foundation’s investment has created a lasting framework for resilience.
