Juan's Story
Living with heat
- Mitigation
- Preparedness
- Response
- Recovery
Mitigation
Juan is an undocumented farmworker with underlying health conditions in the San Joaquin Valley. He does not speak English very well and spends his days working outside in very hot conditions with minimal care from his employer.
The State government has enough resources to enforce good working conditions for Juan and his co-workers. His employer builds a cooling center at his work location that they can use as often as they want.
Preparedness
Juan sees that an extended heatwave is coming and he would like to take time off work to avoid it, but he needs the money for his family. Juan knows to protect himself from the sun as much as possible while on the job, but is there anything else he can do? He doesn’t want to ask for he fears getting into trouble with his employer.
A local community-based organization with Spanish-speaking staff works with a philanthropic organization to offer training for Juan and his co-workers. They feel prepared to look out for each other and know what to do in the event of heat-related illnesses.
Response
It’s so hot and Juan is in the field with his co-workers. He feels awful. He’s not sure he’s going to make it through the day.
A community-based organization creates a mutual aid fund for any farmworkers who need financial support to take time off or seek medical care. Government works on policies that require even better working conditions and wages for farmworkers. Juan can take off and rest without worry.
Recovery
Juan heads home sick. Home is so hot, too. They don’t have air conditioning and Juan is terrified that without a break from the heat, he won’t recover.
A community-based organization partners with some funders to offer free air conditioning units for individuals and families like Juan’s that need it. Another government program offers financial help installing solar energy to offset his electricity costs. Juan relaxes at home and feels much better.
