City awarded for emergency programs

The Business and Industry Council for Emergency Planning and Preparedness has given two awards to the city of Moorpark for emergency preparedness programs.

The organization recognized the new Moorpark Police Services Center as well as the city’s special needs registry, which is geared to assist persons with special needs in case of an emergency.

Residents who are unable to evacuate their homes without assistance are asked to register with the city so that emergency workers are aware of their needs. The city can’t guarantee that it will be able to offer assistance, but the list could come be helpful if a disaster strikes, city officials said.

The police center was also recognized because it is the only facility in the state of California that houses both a local law enforcement agency and the California Highway Patrol. It is also the command center for the city in case of a disaster.

“The co-location of all these agencies allows for clearer communication between the different agencies during an emergency,” said John Brand, senior management analyst for Moorpark.

––Sylvie Belmond