Author: Jonathan Gudel

Learn To Survive The Wild West On Prep Day

Jul 26, 2017 9:46 am

California is prone to a litany of disasters. In 2017 alone, Californians have already endured a historic drought, flooding, more than 3,000 wildfires and numerous earthquakes, among other emergencies.

When it comes to disasters, California truly is the Wild West.

One month from today, historic Old Sacramento will transform into the 12th annual California Day of Preparedness, otherwise referred to as “Surviving the Wild West”. The one-day, family-friendly event – located on the 1849 Scene near the Railroad Museum and Discovery Museum – is scheduled for Saturday, August 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Admission is free.

Visitors will learn about emergency preparedness as well as experience a variety of disaster readiness demonstrations including a mobile earthquake simulator, watch water rescues, and witness the skills of search … continue reading »

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Wildfires Burning Across the State Keeping Firefighters Busy

Jul 17, 2017 1:50 pm

Firefighters are making progress on several wildfires burning throughout California, including the weeks-long Whittier Fire in Santa Barbara County. The threat level on the east side of the fire has been reduced significantly and, with conditions improving, some evacuation orders have been lifted, according to Cal FIRE.

Burning in the Lake Cachuma area, south of Highway 154, the Whittier Fire is now 18,015 acres and 49 percent contained. On just the Whittier Fire alone, there are 1,612 firefighters assigned, including 103 fire engines, 38 hand-crews, 16 dozers, 14 helicopters, and 22 water tenders and 18 bulldozers. The coordinated public safety effort consists of various local, state and federal agencies including Santa Barbara County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, Southern CA Edison, PG&E, Goleta Water District, Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management, American Red Cross … continue reading »

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California’s Fire & Rescue Mutual Aid System Working To Battle Season’s Biggest Wildfires

Jul 11, 2017 10:50 am
Photo of Asst. Chief Brian Woodbeck and Kim Zagaris

Swinging into action for yet another season, teams of specially-trained firefighters from across the state are being strategically deployed to the state’s biggest wildfires. Currently, eight menacing wildfires are actively burning across the state, with more than half of those in the Central and Southern regions alone.

These fires are requiring the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to put the California Mutual Aid System to work.

“Every year we’re playing an important strategy game, constantly tracking resources and monitoring the temperatures, winds and fuel conditions all over the state,” said Mark Ghilarducci, Director of Cal OES. “Our mutual aid system relies heavily on the good faith efforts of local government agencies who have always responded to calls for help without hesitation. We’re proud of the system because it’s proven to be the most effective … continue reading »

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Pyro And Pets Don’t Mix

Jun 30, 2017 6:21 am

The sounds. The colors. The pageantry and beauty. It’s all what makes watching fireworks a timeless tradition.

While the spectacle is often enjoyed on a grand scale, especially on the Fourth of July, it can also create a traumatic experience for pet owners. Those same sounds and colors also create disturbances for pets.

“July is one of our biggest months of the year for stray animals, specifically around the days around the Fourth of July,” said Janna Haynes, Communications and Media Officer for the Bradshaw-based Sacramento County Animal Shelter.

In the immediate days before and after the holiday, shelters typically notice a spike in strays because of the use of fireworks. Pets become scared from the brightness and loud noises, even for those that normally would not run or get out of the yard.

“The number one thing we … continue reading »

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Mutual Aid Deploys To California In Response To Storm Recovery

Jun 14, 2017 12:42 pm

Last October, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the California National Guard (CNG) jointly deployed personnel with emergency response and management expertise to assist in Florida and neighboring states in response to Hurricane Matthew. During a two-week deployment, Cal OES and CNG personnel used their specialized technical skills to help Floridian emergency management officials at Florida’s State Emergency Operations Center.

Now, after relentless storms battered California this winter, Cal OES reached out to its mutual aid partners requesting assistance from other states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) – the nation’s mutual-aid system. The Cal OES Recovery Division identified the need for Public Assistance subject matter experts to assist with the aftermath of the 2017 winter storms, with two trained personnel from New Jersey and one from Colorado arriving in Sacramento … continue reading »

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2017 Nonprofit Security Grant Program Application Workshops

Jun 5, 2017 1:19 pm

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released a grant funding opportunity of $25 million nationwide. The 2017 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is intended to support target hardening and other physical security enhancements for high-risk nonprofits located within California’s six designated Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) areas.

This year, Cal OES will be conducting two webinars, as well as application workshops in each of the following UASI areas to explain the Investment Justification application process: Anaheim/Santa Ana, Bay Area, Los Angeles/Long Beach, Riverside, Sacramento, and San Diego.

Attendees will learn how to successfully complete and submit an application for the 2017 NSGP. Topics will include:

-How to effectively construct an Investment Justification

-How to submit the Investment Justification

-What is new to the NSGP … continue reading »

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Volcano Hazards Part of State’s Geological Diversity

May 31, 2017 12:49 pm

Earthquakes. Wildfires. Floods. Landslides. California is among the most disaster-prone states in the country.

Volcano hazards, though not nearly as common, still present a formidable threat to Californians.

Northern California’s Lassen Peak and Mount St. Helens, about 90 miles south of Seattle, Washington, were the only two volcanoes in the United States to erupt during the 20th century. The eruption in Lassen Peak, also commonly referred to as Mount Lassen, destroyed a 3-square-mile area and rained volcanic ash as far as 200 miles away.

In 1980, the major volcanic eruption at Mount St. Helens, caused by an earthquake weakening the north face, killed 57 people and reduced hundreds of square miles to wasteland. The eruption created the largest landslide in U.S. history and was the most significant of its kind since Lassen Peak in 1915.

“More than 500 volcanic … continue reading »

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