Salinas Valley Health Supports Firefighters Battling Soberanes Fire

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

Salinas Valley Health (Salinas Valley Health) is supporting firefighters and fire personnel on the Soberanes Fire in Big Sur. Salinas Valley Health is planning a third delivery today of medical supplies and personal care items to the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) at the Toro Park Command Center.

“We are providing some much needed supplies to the firefighters protecting our community,” says Pete Delgado, President/CEO of Salinas Valley Health.“All of us are grateful for the work they are doing to contain the fire and protect homes and property. The donations allow us to say thank you in a meaningful way.”

Salinas Valley Health asked Command Center leadership where the organization could lend support and make an impact. The Medical Emergency Response Team expressed a need for a variety of items including poison oak treatments, Calamine lotion, Tecnu Calagel, bath wipes, sunscreen, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Firefighters seeking medical attention are also receiving expedited physician care at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center Emergency Room and Doctors on Duty Clinics, owned in part by Salinas Valley Health.

In addition to the bulk donations Salinas Valley Health has made to MERT, employees of Salinas Valley Health are responding to requests by firefighters stationed at locations other than the Toro Park Command Center. Employees have a list of specific needs and are utilizing donation barrels Salinas Valley Health set up in the hospital cafeteria. Delivery of those items will take place next week.

The Soberanes Fire north of Big Sur began on July 22. CalFire reports it has burned 51,000 acres and is 27 percent contained as of this morning.