CalOES is introducing Listas, an innovative campaign aimed at empowering women with essential knowledge to navigate emergencies, ranging from extreme weather conditions like heatwaves to natural disasters such as winter storms and wildfires.

In a media briefing on April 4, hosted by Ethnic Media Services, a panel of experts discussed the Listas initiative and its potential to empower women as leaders in building resilience within ethnic communities.

Speakers

  • Diana Crofts-Pelayo, Assistant Director, Crisis Communication & Public Affairs, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)
  • Stephanie Nguyen, Assemblymember, District 10
  • Shayla Happi Amenra-Warmsley, a mother of two and a teacher

The campaign, launched in March to coincide with Women’s History Month, is based on research identifying two critical categories of women who stand to benefit most from disaster preparedness resources: “the head of the household” and “the messenger,” explained Diana Crofts-Pelayo.

“These heads are women who shoulder the responsibility of managing household affairs while caring for children or elderly relatives, while the messengers are first- or second-generation women who contribute to family support networks,” she elaborated. “Our research highlighted women over 18, predominantly in Latino, AAPI, and Black communities, as those who are most likely to receive and disseminate our emergency messages and apply them effectively during a crisis.”

CalOES is providing Californians with informative videos, actionable disaster safety tips, and opportunities to sign up for local county emergency alerts through over 73 community organization partners. These organizations, in collaboration with a broader statewide network, have collectively reached out to over 400,000 California women since March, encouraging them to register for alerts and sharing preparedness information.

Local alerts via phone, text, and email in multiple languages for various disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and wildfires are accessible to Californians in each county through listoscalifornia.org/alerts.

Reflecting on her family’s experience, Crofts-Pelayo noted, “My grandmother never learned English. My mother was born in Mexico and was always regarded as the leader in our family, both here and in Mexico. Women often drive their families’ actions. It’s no longer just the male head of the household. They are the ones predominantly responsible for caring for elderly relatives, engaging with communities through schools, and local associations.”

“We aim for women to possess this knowledge and discuss it with their partners, families, friends, and children,” she emphasized. “Emergencies are inevitable; it’s not a matter of if but when the next one occurs. The more families engage in discussions about it, the more we demystify the response.”

“Our research underscored the importance of experiencing an emergency firsthand to fully comprehend its severity,” Crofts-Pelayo added. “We received anecdotes from individuals who mentioned they might not evacuate until they witness water flooding their street or flames nearing their neighborhood. There are still communities that have not encountered a natural disaster, and our goal is to show them the reality of these occurrences. All disasters are local, which underscores the significance of community-based preparedness.”

“It’s women who care for parents, grandparents, children, manage household tasks, and prepare for the future,” observed Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen. “During emergencies, it’s crucial not only for women to receive these messages but also to relay them.”

“When disaster strikes, it impacts everyone in communities. Hearing diverse women share their cultural perspectives on being prepared with essentials like go-bags, charged batteries, and stored water for drinking and sanitation can prompt women across various communities to think, ‘If she’s doing it, I should be doing it too,'” she added.

Speaking from her personal and professional experience, Shayla Happi Amenra-Warmsley stated, “Ensuring the safety and well-being of my family and students, equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to protect them, is always a top priority for me. Emergency preparedness is integral to this mindset.”

“I have begun implementing these tools both within my family and in my classroom, from assembling emergency kits to devising family communication plans and establishing emergency contact systems,” she shared. “The Listas campaign has significantly contributed to translating hypothetical scenarios into practical responses for me. For instance, a month ago, my home experienced a power outage, and Listas enabled me to manage the situation effectively.”

“In times of crisis, particularly for young people, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless. Having a plan in place is as important as practicing it,” Amenra-Warmsley emphasized. “Much of what I do at home and with my students involves not only imparting the necessary tools for preparedness, such as shelter-in-place plans and memorizing emergency contacts, but also teaching strategies for mental resilience, whether through morning yoga or exercises for emotional regulation.”

“Preparedness encompasses adaptability and flexibility in the face of adversity,” she continued. “As an educator, I strive to impart not only academic knowledge but also lifelong skills in resilience, emerging stronger from any challenge. Learning to prepare for emergencies lies at the heart of this endeavor.”