The Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission issued a state report, which found that Connecticut's Spanish-speaking populations, particularly those located in Bridgeport and Danbury, are under-informed about emergency protocols and procedures when it comes to natural disaster response.

The fact-finding report, "The Role of State Government and Latino Media in Natural Disasters & Statewide Emergencies," found that Spanish-language news outlets can't necessary be depended on to reach those who are in primary need of vital information about disaster readiness. Also, the state should take a larger stake in the effort.

Super Storm Sandy's substandard Spanish-language weather advisements and disaster preparation prompted the development of the 32-page report, prepared for the governor and the General Assembly. The report suggested that Spanish-language news media should be notified quickly when weather events are expected, and that information should be communicated in Spanish. When Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast during October 2012, more than 100 people died and over half a million homes were destroyed. The most vulnerable communities were those with a surplus of limited English-speakers.

Communicating in the native language of a population during an emergency situation can be life-saving, said LPRAC, which also prepared the report in an effort to advise policymakers on keeping the Latino population safe. When compiling information, researchers spoke with Spanish-speaking community members, and discovered difficulties experienced by community members when attempted to find pertinent information before, during and after the emergency.

LPRAC prepared a long list of recommendations. The study advised that there should be greater coordination between state agencies and Spanish language media to issue timely reports and advisements about the use of resources devoted to emergencies and disasters. Local official who are not fluent in Spanish should still work harder to make their presence known to the Spanish-speaking community; or the chief elected official or other emergency personnel should be fluent in Spanish. Also, local Spanish-language media shouldn't be relied upon as a translator for official government information related to emergency situations; the information should be prepared with Latinos in mind.

Additionally, "generational, cultural and geographic differences" should be considered when Spanish-language media conveys information to Spanish-speakers. There should be a centralized list of Latino media in Connecticut, easily accessible by all state agencies, college radio stations, internet outlets and community-based organizations for timely emergency information so they can provide further dissemination. Furthermore, there should be an ongoing, regular assessment of actions and outcomes as it relates to communication of emergency-related information to the state's Spanish-speaking population.

Approximately 17.4 percent of the state's population is Hispanic or Latino. Bridgeport and Danbury have the highest number of Spanish-language speakers in the state, approximately a quarter (24 percent) of the population are Hispanics/Latinos.

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