College campuses around the country are now much more aggressive in their emergency planning in light of events such as the Columbine High and Virginia Tech shootings, and fires in Southern California that resulted in the closure of several campuses while others became evacuation sites and command centers.

In an effort to prepare for potential emergencies, Los Medanos College recently received a donation of a truck from PG&E that has now been transformed into an emergency support vehicle. The truck will be utilized not only by Los Medanos College, but by the entire Contra Costa Community College District. It will transport required emergency equipment and support the logistical needs for the district-wide Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program and district police department personnel.

Officer Teddy Terstegge, the district’s emergency services coordinator, spearheads the effort. It was Terstegge’s plan that included an emergency support vehicle to serve the entire community college district. Since there are now four campuses plus a center in Brentwood, the availability of a vehicle to transport emergency supplies throughout the district is vital.

Terstegge shared his idea with LMC Foundation Executive Director Lindy Wille who discussed the proposal with PG&E. A longtime supporter of the district, PG&E was eager to help out. “PG&E is happy to provide the Contra Costa Community College District with a vehicle that will be used for such a valued emergency service, said Executive Manager Greg Hoaglin. “PG&E is always looking for opportunities to better its customers and their communities.”

According to District Chief of Police Charles Gibson, “We have a difficult task to provide a safe learning environment for over 31,000 students in the district. Our task is made much easier when agencies like PG&E support the district by providing urgently needed resources. Our top priority is to provide for the safety of our students, faculty and staff; having the proper equipment is paramount for us to accomplish our mission. We are grateful to PG&E for their contribution.”

With funding reductions expected for public education throughout California, financial support and supplies and equipment donations become ever more critical and appreciated. “The LMC Foundation is pleased and delighted to be the recipient of PG&E’s generous donation of this truck,” said LMC Foundation Executive Director Lindy Wille. “This donation is a prime example of how community and business leaders can support our college through the LMC Foundation. Working together, we can assist our students in achieving their academic goals in a safe environment that supports academic excellence.”