Ray Smith of SCV Emergency Now manages a Facebook page with more than 35,000 members, providing the best and most up-to-date information on emergencies, difficult situations and problems in the SCV community. 

Ray Smith is a pillar of the community in which the entire SCV population relies on for safety and information when other sources are compromised or delayed.  

During the 6.4, 5.4, and 7.1 magnitude earthquakes that rocked Ridgecrest, CA on 4 and 5 July 2019, Ray’s SCV Emergency Now Facebook page relayed vital information to keep SCV population calm and informed of the situation. 

When fire broke out on October 24, 2019, burning several thousand acres, and forcing the mass evacuation of 40,000 people from the Santa Clarita valley, including my family, Mrs. Smith ensured the most current evacuation zones were available, guided SCV residents to shelters and helped people stay away from fire zones so first responders could do their job. Ray Smith directly saved countless lives by proving critical information to residents. 

When the world came under attack from COVID-19, the entire SCV community flocked to Ray’s informational page. Not only was the community up-to-date in near real-time, the community was kept calm, and became together to help by trading and giving out supplies to those in need. While in soft-quarantine, the community drove off boredom and stayed inside their homes by socializing on Ray’s SCV Emergency Now Page. Ray directly contributed to mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in SCV, California and parts of the world. 

The distinguished, voluntary service Ray Smith and her team provide make them leaders in the community.
They have, provided much needed information, directly saved life’s and helped the world stop the spread of COVID-19. They deserve the highest award the city Santa Clarita can give.