San Diego Gas & Electric Monday announced a donation of $70,000 to the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation to purchase three emergency generators to be used at disaster shelters.
“Adding these generators will help ensure the continuation of life- saving services when our most vulnerable residents, such as those needing oxygen, find themselves evacuated to an emergency shelter,” county Supervisor Ron Roberts said. “I want to thank SDG&E for again stepping up to help fill a public safety need.”
The utility also bought 10,000 emergency kits to distribute to vulnerable community members, including seniors and those with mobility issues. The kits include useful items in case someone is homebound during an emergency.
Distribution of the kits has already begun through a partnership with agencies like Elder Help, Meals-on-Wheels and American Medical Response.
“With a shared vision of promoting public safety and helping those community members who need it the most, these donations were a natural fit for us at SDG&E,” said Caroline Winn, the utility’s chief energy delivery officer. “We believe that providing essential materials like these kits is another way to help first responders identity who needs help in an emergency.”
The announcement came a week after a series of damaging El Nino-fueled storms rampaged through San Diego County, causing flooding, downed trees and power outages.
Utility and elected officials in attendance at the announcement said more storms of a similar nature could roll into the region over the next couple of months.
–City News Service
