By Paul Moreno
PARADISE — The mountain community of Paradise is better prepared for emergencies thanks to the donation of a new evacuation trailer and equipment from PG&E.
The Town of Paradise, and many portions of Butte County, are designated extreme wildland fire hazard areas, which increases the likelihood of evacuations. In 2008, residents of Paradise and neighboring communities fled as a fire approached the town, clogging roadways.
Dave Hawkes, Cal Fire battalion chief, shakes hands with PG&E's Craig Kelly at a ceremony to donate the evacuation trailer. (Photo by Paul Moreno.)
After the Upper Ridge Evacuation Traffic Control Plan was updated, PG&E and the Butte County Fire Safe Council recognized an urgent need to assist with emergency response, especially for evacuations ordered with little or no notice.
The well-stocked trailer can also be used throughout the county by the Butte County office of Emergency Management, such as valley areas of the county prone to flooding. In addition, PG&E donated two changeable message board signs which can be used to communicate important messages to the public regarding road closures, hazard conditions, or other advisories. Total value of the donation is $48,000.
On Dec. 1, the Town of Paradise displayed the donation, which includes a fully equipped response trailer containing traffic cones, barricades and signs that can be mobilized on a moment’s notice throughout Butte County. The town council also gave PG&E a certificate of appreciation at its Dec. 8 meeting.
“This trailer shows to me the true meaning of partnership between organizations, businesses and community leaders. The engagement of all the PG&E’ers who live and work in the area shows to me they truly care for our customers and communities we serve,” said Craig Kelly, supervising vegetation program manager for PG&E’s North Valley division.
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