First Responders, Doctors, And Community Advocates Officially Launch “Yes On Measure B” Campaign 

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SAN DIEGO–Today, the Yes on B campaign officially launched its push to pass Measure B, the San Diego Health and Safety Act, backed by a broad coalition of firefighters, doctors, child advocates, and environmental leaders at the San Diego County Administration Building. 

Event speakers and participants urged voters to pass Measure B to combat escalating threats across San Diego County—including rising wildfire risks, mounting 911 response delays, impending healthcare layoffs and coverage losses, and the persistent toxic sewage crisis along the Tijuana River.

Measure B will provide dedicated local funding for wildfire response and countywide preparedness efforts by putting more firefighters on the ground and expanding defensive space measures to protect homes.

“We saw what happened in the 2025 Los Angeles fires. We know we cannot afford to fall behind on response or prevention. A proactive defense is our only option, and federal budget cuts are already straining the resources our county depends on to provide it,” said John Clark, Deputy Vice-President of Cal-Fire Local 2881, San Diego County Firefighters. “Measure B helps us continue protecting San Diego from extreme fire threats by putting more firefighters on the ground, ramping up brush clearing, and upgrading lifesaving equipment.”

Additionally, Measure B will advance San Diego County’s recently passed bipartisan plan to address the border pollution crisis via the Tijuana River Capture and Cleanup Initiative, which will construct a new treatment system to capture toxic flow from the river. The campaign kickoff follows the release of a groundbreaking economic report revealing that the crisis costs San Diego County roughly $500 million annually in reduced economic output—accumulating to an estimated $8 billion over two decades.

“The Tijuana River sewage crisis is one of the nation’s most serious and persistent environmental and public health challenges. Decades of inadequate infrastructure, rapid urban growth, and fragmented binational coordination have allowed conditions to worsen,” said Dr. Paula Stigler Granados, Associate Professor and Division Head for Environmental Health at San Diego State University. “Measure B would establish sustained local funding to address the Tijuana River wastewater pollution crisis. It would support projects designed to reduce wastewater flows, expand treatment capacity, remove trash and debris, restore the estuary and surrounding wetlands, and strengthen public health and indoor air protections.”

The initiative comes as San Diego County faces deep federal healthcare cuts projected to strip coverage from 170,000 or more residents. Public health experts warn of a dangerous ripple effect as individuals delay preventive care and overwhelm local emergency rooms, forcing hospitals to cut staff or close facilities to absorb uncompensated care costs.

“The good news is there is hope and we can still act,” said Dr. Simi Brar, a physician at Rady Children’s Health. “A Yes vote on Measure B will help protect San Diego. It means keeping healthcare workers on the job, keeping SD county hospitals and clinics open, and helping working families stay connected to services.”

Measure B also addresses San Diego County's worsening childcare shortage, expanding support for working families and local providers.

“Slots are scarce and costs keep climbing, and when families can't find or afford care, parents can't work, household budgets take the hit, and local businesses lose the reliable workforce they depend on — this isn't just a family problem, it's a community problem,” said Mayra Alvarez, First 5 San Diego Commissioner and President of The Children's Partnership. “Measure B will help San Diego County's childcare crisis by expanding access to infant and toddler care, supporting families on childcare waitlists, and ensuring providers receive fair compensation so they can remain in the workforce and keep their doors open for families who need them.”

Proponents capped off the kickoff event with a ceremonial pledge-signing on a large campaign banner, demonstrating coalition unity ahead of the November ballot.

Measure B is a citizen-led initiative on the November 2026 ballot designed to protect local healthcare coverage, public health programs, 911 emergency response, public safety, and safe, affordable childcare in San Diego County. Measure B is endorsed by community advocates and labor including Planned Parenthood of Pacific Southwest, the American Academy of Pediatrics-San Diego Chapter, Hospital Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties, San Diego County Firefighters CAL-FIRE Local 2881, and First 5 San Diego. To learn more, visit www.voteyesonmeasureb.org.