Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for the San Bruno Fire

For the past year, Bethany Presbyterian Church, with support from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, has been addressing the needs and concerns of its members, as well as residents of San Bruno, as they heal and recover from the tragic impact of the September 9, 2010 pipeline explosion and fire.

A Recovery Oversight Committee was established and tasked by the Session to gauge the needs and concerns of the church and to discern appropriate ways to respond to them. One response was to provide financial support to members for therapeutic counseling. ROC also worked with the Worship Committee to commemorate both the events of 9/11 and 9/9 on Remembrance Sunday. Currently, in collaboration with PDA, we are taping conversations with members, as we view storytelling as a healing process. Lastly, the church has purchased a large storage box, which has been placed on the parking lot and will be filled with emergency supplies for use by the church and community if another disaster occurs. We are working with the City of San Bruno to fill this with appropriate supplies. Meanwhile, a committee is being formed to design a memorial wall for the side of this box. The members of this committee are Patrick May (chairperson), Linden Cady, and Kathleen Mitchell. For more information, please contact any of these people through the church office.

We continue to be an active part of the San Bruno Long Term Recovery Committee, a coalition of nonprofit agencies, faith communities, and governmental representatives formed shortly after September 9, 2010. The San Bruno Resource and Recovery Center has been opened and is assisting residents impacted by the fire and explosion with mental health counseling and referrals, case management, housing and health services, resident resource and tech center, and other training offered by participating agencies. This Center is located at 458 San Mateo Avenue. Hours are 9 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday. 650/588-0940.

In the months ahead we will be a part of interfaith efforts working with the Red Cross on ensuring that our communities are ready to respond to future disasters.