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Mitigation Ideas by Hazards 5 The following section summarizes community recommendations for hazard mitigation. Extreme Heat and Poor Air Quality Heat and poor air quality due to wildfire smoke was one of the most commented upon topics. General Recommendations: Most were centered on the need to have more cooling and clean air centers throughout the County that are accessible to people with disabilities, have stated policies welcoming undocumented residents, and better outreach including disability access information. People suggested mobile centers to deploy in vulnerable communities and using schools, libraries and churches as centers and shelters. Participants asked for improved communication about heat warnings and excessive heat events and for a list of cooling centers available ahead of extreme heat so that people with disabilities and medical conditions can have more time to prepare and respond. Preparedness and Equipment Solutions: Providing free or loaner equipment such as fans and air purifiers, distributing better extension cords or surge protectors, and free pool access for residents on high heat days. People suggested having something like a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to inspect homes for air leaks, thermal loss, and to certify that structures are working as efficiently as possible to prevent heat and smoke intrusion. Infrastructure Solutions: Ideas included investing in updating HVAC systems and solar plus storage for public facilities and shelters to address power shutoffs associated with heat events, providing backup generators for elderly and at-risk individuals, home weatherization for vulnerable communities, and tree planting as a strategy to reduce heat in communities lacking trees and shade. Communications Solutions: In terms of communications, ideas included partnering with community- based organizations to improve public messaging around the impacts of extreme heat and preparedness strategies by implementing multilingual outreach to raise awareness about what they could do and where to go during a heat or poor air quality emergency, especially in unincorporated communities. Another solution recommended was to identify residents to be block representatives that can disseminate information to neighbors and notice who might need help. Using text messaging and phone calls to provide this information is the best way to reach the Latino community, and there is a need to assure all SMC Alert messages are bilingual. Multiple community members requested a list of cooling centers available ahead of extreme heat. Special information and education are needed to help employers understand the dangers of working outdoors during a heat or poor air quality event, as well as providing workers with protective equipment. Wildfire Wildfire was identified as one of the hazards of most concern by community members. Information gaps and concerns: Lack of clear communication was one of the main issues identified, especially by Coastside communities. People mentioned that they did not have clear information about how and when to evacuate or where to go during the CZU-Lightning Fire in 2020, specifically lacking information in Spanish. Furthermore, they stated that the information provided and CalFire guidance was not easy to access or to understand for elders and low-income residents. Several people expressed