Planning & Preparedness

Emergency planning and preparedness is the process of systematically preparing for future events such as major incidents or disasters. Plans are needed for responding to the impacts of disasters and to maintain business continuity while managing the crisis.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility. It calls for the involvement of everyone — not just the government — in preparedness efforts. By working together, everyone can help keep California safe and help keep it resilient when disasters strike.

The Cal OES Planning and Preparedness Branch develops and maintains state-level emergency plans and planning guidance for state and local agencies. We do this by working with the whole community including:

    • State Agencies
    • Local and Tribal Governments
    • Businesses and the Private Sector
    • Non-governmental Organizations
    • Federal Government
    • Members of the Public

The principal program responsibilities for the Planning and Preparedness Branch are displayed below.

Planning Topics

2024 California State Emergency Plan

2023 Coordinating Draft Available

Catastrophic Planning

Planning for the Worst Case Scenarios

Nuclear Power Preparedness

California’s Nuclear Power Preparedness Program

California Emergency Support Functions

CA-ESF Annexes to the SEP

Community Planning

Supporting Local Emergency Planning with an Emphasis on the Whole Community

School Emergency Planning and Safety

Resources for Schools and Districts

Administrative Orders

Cal OES agreements with state agencies relating to emergency activities during disasters.

Continuity Planning

Resources for Developing Continuity Plans and Programs

Statewide Emergency Preparedness Coordination

State Agencies Preparing for Disaster

Animal Preparedness

Resources to Support Small and Large Animals and Livestock in Disasters

Dam Safety Planning

Resources to Assist Dam Owners with Emergency Plans

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)

Radiological Transportation in California

Emergency Management Systems

Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)

Resources on California’s Emergency Management System

Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP)

Standards, Assessment, and Accreditation Process for Disaster Preparedness Programs

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

Resources on the Nation’s Emergency Management System

Disaster Council Accreditation

Resources and Authority for the Formation and Accreditation of Disaster Councils

After-Action / Corrective Action Reporting

Lessons Learned and Improvement Planning from Previous Disasters

 

 

State Plans and Publications

Plans

Emergency Management Mutual Aid (EMMA) Plan

Emergency Management Mutual Aid Plan (2022)

ANNEX A: EMMA Coordinator Checklists and Forms (2022)

ANNEX B: EMMA Resource Deployment and Demobilization Packet (2022)

Extreme Temperature Response Plan (2022)

 

Guidelines

Agriculture-Related Disasters: Guidance Document for Local Government (2012)

Alert & Warning Guidelines (2024)

Statewide Alert & Warning Guidelines Model Program (2024)

CA Statewide Multi-Agency Coordination System Guide (CSMACS) (2013)

Cal OES Family Readiness Guide (2020)

California Volunteer and Donation Management Planning Guidance (2024)

Electric Power Disruption: Toolkit for Local Government (2020)

Emergency Drinking Water Procurement & Distribution Guidance (2014)

Mobilization Centers: A SEMS Guide for State and Local Government (2001)

Risk Communication Guide for State and Local Agencies (2006)

 

Other Documents

CA Master Mutual Aid Agreement (1950)

Emergency Plan Review Crosswalk: State Agencies (2020)

Flood Emergency Action Team (FEAT) Initiatives (1997)

FEAT 1 Guidelines for Coordinating Flood Emergency Operations

FEAT 3 Flood Preparedness Guide for Levee Maintaining Agencies

FEAT 5 Emergency Plans for Mobile Home Parks

FEAT 6 MOU Animal Care During Disasters

FEAT 7 Protocol for Closure of Delta Waterways

FEAT 10 Public Assistance Eligibility Guidelines for Floods

Japan Tsunami Marine Debris: Concept of Operations (2012)

Model SOP Guide: Standard Operating Procedure for Mobilization Centers (2001)

They Will Come: Post-Disaster Volunteers and Local Government (2001)

 

Program Contacts

Rose Nguyen

Rose Nguyen

Program Manager III, Preparedness Branch

Office: (916) 845-8646
Email: Rose.Nguyen@CalOES.ca.gov

Tony Vasquez

Tony Vasquez

Program Manager II, Planning Division

Office: (916) 845-8792
Email: Tony.Vasquez@CalOES.ca.gov

Cari Porter

Cari Porter

Program Manager I, Community Planning

Office: (916) 845-8415
Email: Cari.Porter@CalOES.ca.gov

Noele Richmond

Noele Richmond

Program Manager I, Emergency Functions Planning

Office: (916) 845-8132
Email: Noele.Richmond@CalOES.ca.gov

Vacant

Vacant

Program Manager I, Disaster Planning

Darren Tsang

Program Manager II, Technological Hazards and Systems

Office: (916) 845-8797
Email: Darren.Tsang@CalOES.ca.gov

Paul Dumetz

Program Manager I, Radiological Preparedness Unit

Office: (916) 845-8190
Email: Paul.Dumetz@CalOES.ca.gov

Casey Meredith

Casey Meredith

Program Manager I, Dam Safety Planning

Office: (916) 845-8160
Email: Casey.Meredith@CalOES.ca.gov

Clifford Viernes

Clifford Viernes

Program Manager I, Emergency Management Systems

Office: (916) 845-8779
Email: Clifford.Viernes@CalOES.ca.gov

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