San Bernardino County Libraries to Serve as Community Resource Centers During Public Safety Power Shutoffs
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, California — San Bernardino County announced a partnership with Southern California Edison (SCE) to make select County Library branches available as community resource centers during designated Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events, the county said on October 22.
A PSPS is a precautionary measure used during periods of elevated wildfire risk to reduce the chance that electrical equipment could start a fire. The county said activated library locations can provide a familiar place for residents to stay connected and access designated information and resources when electricity is unavailable at home.
Activation will not happen automatically for every PSPS, the county said; it will depend on the circumstances of each qualifying event and on coordination with SCE. The county said it will communicate specific locations, operating hours and available resources when a community resource center is activated.
Board of Supervisors Chair and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe said ensuring residents have access to reliable information and community resources during emergencies is an important part of strengthening public safety across the county. County Librarian Melanie Orosco said that during an emergency, having a safe and trusted place in the community can make a tremendous difference. The county positioned the library network as a complement to its Office of Emergency Services-led response.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：圣贝纳迪诺县图书馆 Needles 分馆，馆舍墙面可见 County of San Bernardino 字样（G. Edward Johnson 摄，Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 4.0）
