Valley emergency agencies unite for disaster forum

Monday’s 4.2M earthquake coincided with a previously planned disaster management forum hosted by Congressman Raul Ruiz at his Palm Desert office.

The forum was intended to inform people who live in the valley about the emergency procedures in place for multiple agencies during disasters like earthquakes, wildfires or floods.

More than a dozen representatives were in attendance from law enforcement, utility companies and local, county and state agencies.

“The main purpose here is to keep people safe and alive during a major disaster,” Ruiz said. “Efficiency saves lives. Coordination saves lives.”

A major topic of discussion was inter-agency communication and how to unite emergency responses.

“It’s very important right now because we’ve had multiple earthquakes in different locations around our communities that we have felt here in the Coachella Valley,” Ruiz said.

The officials also identified at-risk populations, such as a low-tech, low-mobility senior, and discussed how best to reach them in an emergency.

“We need to ensure that there’s a system in place that they can turn to get the information that can potentially save their lives,” Ruiz said.

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