CIBS Engaged With the Community for Environmental Emergency Preparedness

Engaged with communities in San Elizario, Socorro and colonias in El Paso County, the Center for Inter-American and Border Studies actively participated in the 'Emergency Preparedness & Communication for Colonias in El Paso Area Workshop' on July 24, 2019 in San Elizario, TX. EPA’s Region 6 and Regional Office in El Paso’s Border 2020 organized a team of leaders and representatives to bring information and tools to community leaders and government representatives. The team included AYUDA, El Paso County & Local Emergency Planning Committee, El Paso Health Department, National Weather Service, among others. David Gray, EPA Acting Regional Administrator, said this workshop aimed to “develop and share tools to empower community driven solutions to better protect the people we serve.” CIBS coordinator Patricia M. Juárez-Carrillo spoke about the importance of extreme heat on health. She explained the perceptions, characteristics and practices of families living in the colonias that increase their susceptibility to feeling sick or even death, and presented recommendations to address symptoms, and easy-to-do and affordable home solutions to reduce indoor temperatures.