Morgan Hill is a wonderful place to live. The climate is pleasant; the small town ambiance is inviting, and access to beaches, mountains, and big city culture is easy. But, like all of California, it is a dangerous place to live. There is a constant threat looming of damage from earthquakes, floods, wildfires and man-made destruction such as train-derailments.
Recognizing this reality, the City of Morgan Hill operates an Office of Emergency Services (OES) under the administration of the Police Department. Its function is to provide educational services for city employees, residents, businesses and schools to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from both natural and man-made disasters.
The OES offers residents eight-week training sessions through the Community Emergency Response Team. Scores of people have been trained in how to prepare for and respond to emergencies, and these teams continue to train and respond to local emergency events. Â
However, OES is currently expanding its focus in an attempt to involve more community members. In January, it began reaching out to the faith community through a workshop held as part of the Sunday school program at West Hills Community Church.
West Hills, located 2.5 miles from where OES is based, has agreed to serve as a supplementary disaster center in case of major emergency. Jennifer Ponce, the city’s OES Coordinator, decided to begin training the congregation by visiting some 35 students in grades one through six.
Her interactive Power Point presentation began making the children aware of the many disasters that could strike Morgan Hill. The vivid photos of local sites inundated by water or shrouded in smoke caught the kids’ attention.
Much of the presentation discussed the need for a 72-hour disaster kit in every home. Authorities explain that in the event of a major disaster, local communities may be cut off from outside help for three days; these kits will help families survive until aid arrives.
Ponce brought her personal kit and shared the contents with the students, explaining the rationale behind her choices:
• Water (calculating amount needed per family at 1 gallon per day, per person)
• Examples of nonperishable food (like granola bars, canned tuna)
• First aid kit
• Battery or crank radio
• Whistle
• Dust mask
• Moist towelettes
• Manual can opener
• Cell phone with inverter or solar charger
• Pet food
• Cash
• Prescription medications
• Fire extinguisher
• Blanket
• Waterproof matches
• Appropriate books, puzzles, games and toys.
At the end of the session, participants were able to choose an item to take home to place in their own emergency kits, as well as a list of emergency kit suggestions; they were also awarded Certificates of Readiness to show their parents.
This summer, the OES is planning to host a meeting with local faith leaders discussing emergency preparedness. At that time, congregations may schedule training sessions to be held at their own facilities. To find out more about outreach to faith communities, call (408) 776-7310.
In the meantime, Morgan Hill CERT is offering residents free two-hour emergency preparedness classes on the first Monday of each month. They will explain what the city has done to prepare and offer participants important information to begin their own preparations. Although meant for adults, youth as young as 14 are permitted to attend if accompanied by an adult.
To register for the class, visit www.mhcert.com.
