Lincoln County faces numerous hazards, including tsunamis, extreme weather events and wildfires, which can disrupt gas and electric services to households. This disruption limits food preparation options and increases the risk of food spoilage. The Latino population, the fastest-growing demographic in Oregon and Lincoln County, faces communication and resource inequalities during such uncertain events and hazards.
To address these challenges, Oregon State University Extension Service in Lincoln County, Oregon Department of Emergency Management (ODEM), Samaritan Health Services, and Conexión Fénix organized a workshop based on local expert knowledge and needs assessments. The workshop, designed and delivered in Spanish, aimed to:
- Demonstrate cooking meals without electricity or gas.
- Present safety measures during wildfire season and smoke events.
- Teach participants how to be “two weeks ready” and pack an emergency go-bag.
The organizers secured a $3,000 donation in gift cards from Safeway to demonstrate meal preparation and provide participants with non-perishable food items. ODEM and Samaritan Health Services personnel obtained the food items, and Samaritan Health Services secured a grant to purchase emergency go-bags for distribution.
The workshop was free, with free parking and public transportation access. With support from the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County, the organizers packed the emergency go-bags with non-perishable food items. Conexión Fénix provided translation services and facilitated the event.
Aaron Groth, OSU Extension Fire Program North Coast regional fire specialist, presented in Spanish on staying safe during wildfire season and smoke events, emphasizing the importance of avoiding frying, broiling or baking during smoke events to maintain indoor air quality.
ODEM, with Spanish translation services, presented on being two weeks ready and preparing an emergency go-bag. Beatriz Botello Salgado, coordinator of Lincoln County’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education unit, known as SNAP‑Ed, in OSU Extension’s Family and Community Health Program, and Extension interns Kimberly Alcaraz and Flor Gaspar Marquez demonstrated cooking meals without electricity. Participants then prepared the recipes for their consumption, based on foods relevant to the Latino community.
The workshop equipped participants to better protect their families and maintain food security during crises.
ODEM, the Extension Fire Program, and Samaritan Health Service had information tables with materials in Spanish for event participants. ODEM assisted participants with signing up for emergency alerts, and community members participated in question-and-answer sessions with presenters to voice their questions and concerns.
The workshop successfully addressed the local needs of the Latino community in north Lincoln County. Twenty-eight families demonstrated their ability to prepare meals without electricity or gas. The families received emergency go-bags with non-perishable food items for use during emergencies.
Participants learned about public use restrictions during wildfire season to avoid accidental ignitions and recognized the importance of avoiding the use of electricity or gas for cooking during wildfire smoke events. They also identified essential items for inclusion in emergency go-bags and understood ODEM’s guidance to be “two weeks ready.”
By offering practical demonstrations on cooking without electricity or gas, safety measures during wildfire season, and guidance on assembling emergency go bags, the workshop equipped participants to better protect their families and maintain food security during crises. The workshop ensured that this community received essential resources and information, fostering resilience and preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
