New fire station makes sense

EDITOR,
I participated in a CERT program offered by our fire department. The Community Emergency Response Team class prepares local residents to support fire and police departments overwhelmed after a major disaster, such as an earthquake or a fire.
After such a disaster, during the first few hours, or even days, a call for help may not get through if systems fail — we may have to rely on one another.
The firefighters volunteered to teach the CERT class, which ran for several weeks. During one class, we discussed the risk of unsafe buildings and practiced how to lift heavy pieces of walls or other objects that may pin or trap a person.
We heard that the building our class was held in was not built to withstand a significant earthquake. This was a frightening fact to learn since, in a major emergency, any one of us might need firefighters to come to our aid. Half of our on-duty fire department staff or equipment may not be available when we need help the most if the fire station is damaged.
During their long shifts, firefighters live, sleep and eat in this building (thus the trips to grocery stores). What if firefighters were trapped or injured in this building during an earthquake? A family member or neighbor in a life-threatening situation may not get the help we call for in such a case.
We need to ensure the safety and well-being of the courageous men and women serving our community by making sure that they and their equipment are housed in a safe and reliable structure — for both their sakes and ours.
Applying for grant money to build a safe fire station to allow faster response times for those on the south side, on land already owned, makes sense!
Janet Tuma, Scotts Valley