Who do you call in an emergency? For many in the Morongo Basin, it’s Marjorie Smith

Robert Haydon February 24, 2026Last Updated: February 24, 2026

Emergency preparedness is essential, but can also be one of those things that can easily get lost in the business of everyday life. That’s not the case if you spend any time around Marjorie Smith, who recently was recognized with a Spirit of Yucca Valley Award for her outstanding service to the town of Yucca Valley and the entire Morongo Basin.

Mayor Merl Abel gave an introduction to Marjorie and her volunteer work at at the February 17 Town Council meeting, saying “Marjorie has been a key part of the Morongo Basin community organization ‘Active in Disaster,’ helping to bring local organizations together to help them understand who will provide supplies, manpower, and support when needed most. When a need is identified, Marjorie knows exactly who to call.

Marjorie Smith (left) and Yucca Valley Mayor Merl Abel (right)

“Marjorie joined the American Red Cross as a community engagement volunteer in 2022, and she’s been instrumental in connecting communities with emergency services and growing the base of volunteers here in the basin. We are proud to be recognizing Marjorie tonight as an active and dedicated emergency preparedness ambassador and even more proud of the difference she continues to make in Yucca Valley throughout the entire Morongo Basin,” the Mayor said.

From 2017’s devastating floods in Joshua Tree to the Palm springs bombing last year, Marjorie gets calls from agencies and organizations looking to help connect our community to emergency services and law enforcement from all over Southern California.

Marjorie expressed surprise at receiving the award, saying “I was asked to come to the meeting, and I had no idea about this… and so it’s overwhelming. I just came back from a Red Cross call out in Yucca Mesa, so I’m kind of windblown!”

Marjorie addressed the Yucca Valley Town Council on Tuesday (February 17)

Smith gave an impromptu speech about the importance of emergency preparedness, making a plan with your family and the oft-overlooked resource of our immediate neighbors, saying “Emergency planning begins with you and your family around the kitchen table. You need to know what you’re going to do when something happens. If it happens right now, what would you do?”

She also stressed that an emergency doesn’t have to be a natural disaster to affect your home and personal wellbeing.

“How would you be if you were without power for eight days in your home right now? just want you to change your thinking. Don’t say you’re prepared, because you’re not! Now don’t forget your neighbors. The people you need when something happens are not your friends across town. The people you need are the people who you’re surrounded with. The people who live next door to you, across the street from you, around the corner from you… They are the people that will make a difference in your life.

“Get to know your neighbors and become self-reliant. And if you can do that and if we can help one person… just one person…to be safe and not afraid during an event? Then we’ve done our job.”