New all-electric fire station opens its doors to the Morgan Hill community
Morgan Hill, CA — On June 7, the new, all-electric Butterfield Fire Station opened its bays to the Morgan Hill community with a ribbon-cutting and animal adoption event. The station, the city’s fourth and newest addition, improves fire protection and emergency medical services for the Morgan Hill community while supporting Morgan Hill’s climate goals. Local electricity provider Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) contributed $500,000 in Community Grant funding for electric technologies that enhance the station’s resilience and safety. The agencies gathered with community members, firefighters and local businesses to celebrate this climate and safety milestone.
Morgan Hill Mayor Mark Turner, Fire Chief Marcus Hernandez, City Manager Christina Turner, and SVCE CEO Monica Padilla spoke to the many benefits that the new station will bring to Morgan Hill.
“What a beautiful day here in Morgan Hill. This is the essence of what this city is, it’s a community working together, coming out and showing up for each other. This is another exciting milestone for this city,” said Morgan Hill Fire Chief Marcus Hernandez. “From 2023 to 2024 we’ve had a 6% increase in call volume, this station is going to be vital in increasing our capacity to serve this city and keep providing that top tier service.”
The electric systems used at the new station create a resilient facility in the event of a power disruption. With 92, 445-watt solar panels and a battery system providing 176 kilowatt-hours of energy storage, the station can sustain 30-36 hours of operations off of backup power. In normal weather conditions, back-up capabilities could be indefinite as the solar generation recharges the batteries. This solar and battery system is anticipated to save Morgan Hill thousands of dollars in energy costs annually.
Inside, the station features zero-emission equipment like commercial induction stoves and heat pumps, ensuring that the first responders utilizing the station have clean air inside and out.
Local chef Zaida Soriano hosted an induction cooking demonstration at the ribbon-cutting to showcase safe and efficient cooking, which is more precise and safer due to its lack of emissions and flames.
“Firefighters provide a critical service to our community, and we are proud to be a part of providing them a safe, clean air facility,” said SVCE CEO Monica Padilla. “We look forward to how this station will not only improve the City’s ability to respond to emergencies but also transform resiliency in the face of them.”
Acknowledging the diverse calls firefighters respond to, including those involving animals, three local animal shelter organizations— Friends of San Martin Animal Society, Santa Clara County Animal Services, and Town Cats— joined the ribbon-cutting celebration and community members had the opportunity to adopt a furry friend and learn more about summer heat animal safety.
Community members can learn more about the electric technologies in and around the station at the newly constructed Demonstration Plaza south of the station. The plaza features interpretive displays and a classroom learning area.
The Butterfield Fire Station is the first all-electric fire station in Morgan Hill and the second fire station in Santa Clara County to receive SVCE Community Grant Funding. Learn more about SVCE community grant projects at https://svcleanenergy.org/community-resilience/.
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About Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a not-for-profit, community-owned agency providing electricity from renewable and clean sources to more than 275,000 residential and commercial customers in 13 Santa Clara County jurisdictions. As a public agency, net revenues are returned to the community to keep rates competitive and promote clean energy programs. Silicon Valley Clean Energy is advancing innovative solutions to fight climate change by decarbonizing the grid, transportation, and buildings. Learn more at SVCleanEnergy.org.
Media Contact
Michaela Pippin, Communications Manager | (408) 549-2690 |
Michaela.pippin@svcleanenergy.org
