When disaster strikes anywhere in California and sometimes even across the country, a small building located on the Joint Forces Training Base can become an epicenter of response and reaction.
When disaster strikes anywhere in California and sometimes even across the country, a small building located on the Joint Forces Training Base can become an epicenter of response and reaction.
The California Emergency Management Agency, Southern Region headquarters is run on a day-to-day basis by only a dozen or so employees. But when a major disaster strikes, response and support teams from any and all necessary departments can be called into action. And the Southern Region, which runs out of two small modular buildings on the JFTB, brings them all together.
There two major functions of the Cal EMA, maintain a State Emergency Plan and to coordinate the state’s Mutual Agency System. But many other functions fall under the control of Cal EMA. And the primary purpose of Cal EMA is simply to coordinate any needed services in the event of a major disaster.
“We have to have a standardized way of doing things,” said Greg Renick, Cal EMA Public Information Officer.
Maintaining a state emergency plan simply means defining what the roles of each agency are in a disaster plan. Coordinating the state’s mutual aid system requires essentially fire, law and emergency management agencies. But when needed, Cal EMA has the authority to bring in any kind of needed service.
That could include anything from social services to Cal Trans workers to help secure roadsides against flooding or mudslides. Cal EMA is responsible for overall coordination at the state level. And on a day-to-day basis, Cal EMA will work with local governments with planning for various emergencies.
They also work with the Radiological Preparedness branch for planning and safety for the San Onofre and Diablo Canyon Nuclear power plants. There is also a Recovery Branch to assist with the recovery of any damaged infrastructure or utility services. Cal EMA would also work with the administration of FEMA funds at the state level.
But emergency response always begins at the local level. First responders who service the area are the first line of defense. For example, any fires in National Forests would first be the responsibility of the U.S. Forest Service. However, once a fire is determined to require more assistance, Cal EMA would step in to coordinate the addition of other area services.
Cal EMA might also be called upon to coordinate the response of California responders out of state. California services were called out to New Orleans for response to Hurricane Katrina. The Southern Region of Cal EMA includes 11 counties, from San Luis Obisbo to San Diego and inland to Imperial County and Mono County.
There is also a Northern Division and between the two agencies, 58 counties state-wide work in conjuction in what is called a Mutual Aid System. There are five major functions, Command/Management, Operations, Plans and Intelligence, Logistics and Finance/Administration. The system is set up modularly to be adaptable to any event.