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:
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- 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
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
Program Manager III, Preparedness Branch
Office: (916) 845-8646
Email: Rose.Nguyen@CalOES.ca.gov
Tony Vasquez
Program Manager II, Planning Division
Office: (916) 845-8792
Email: Tony.Vasquez@CalOES.ca.gov
Cari Porter
Program Manager I, Community Planning
Office: (916) 845-8415
Email: Cari.Porter@CalOES.ca.gov
Noele Richmond
Program Manager I, Emergency Functions Planning
Office: (916) 845-8132
Email: Noele.Richmond@CalOES.ca.gov
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
Program Manager I, Dam Safety Planning
Office: (916) 845-8160
Email: Casey.Meredith@CalOES.ca.gov
Clifford Viernes
Program Manager I, Emergency Management Systems
Office: (916) 845-8779
Email: Clifford.Viernes@CalOES.ca.gov
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