Launched in 2021, the Farmworker Wildfire Smoke Alert System is the only program of its kind. It is designed to protect farmworkers from the negative health impacts from wildfire smoke by notifying them when air quality reaches dangerous levels.
VCAPCD sends text alerts to farmworkers, field supervisors and employers each day when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches 151 – Unhealthy, the level at which Cal/OSHA requires employers to provide N95 respirator masks to outdoor workers for voluntary use. It also sends alerts when the AQI reaches 500 – Hazardous, the level at which outdoor workers are required to wear N95 masks.
Participants can receive English or Spanish versions of the alerts. The Spanish alerts feature Spanish text and audio messages in Mixteco and Zapoteco. To sign up for the English version, text SMOKE to 855-522-0034. To sign up for the Spanish version, text HUMO to 855-522-0034.
Training Materials for Employers
With the partnership of other government agencies and local nonprofit agricultural organizations, the flyers available to the right were created to assist agricultural operators and employers in their Cal/OSHA-required training regarding wildfire smoke prevention and the text/audio alert program.
