Tag: Mark Ghilarducci

Wildfire Awareness Week Kicks Off In California

May 8, 2017 4:54 pm

Each year California highlights the importance of wildfire prevention and preparedness by declaring a week in May as “Wildfire Awareness Week.”  On Monday, May 8th, several agencies came together to kick off Wildfire Awareness Week with a joint press conference and to remind California residents of the dangers posed by wildfires.

“We are all in this together,” said Mark Ghilarducci, Director of California’s Office Of Emergency Services.

“We want to make certain that the resources get to the right place, the right kind of resources are getting to the right place and that we do as much as we can to protect lives and property through these types of events,” Ghilarducci said.

Despite record amounts of rain this winter, California has already experienced about 500 fires this year.  With an estimated 100 million trees killed as a result of … continue reading »

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February 7th Marks Anniversary of Black Saturday Tragedy

Feb 7, 2017 9:31 am

February 7, 2009 is such a dark date in the minds of Australians they call it Black Saturday. A series of 400 individual brush fires raged across the state of Victoria. Extreme record-breaking temperatures, drought conditions set the stage, followed by winds topping 78 miles per hour fueled the fires. The wildfires destroyed everything in their path, killing 173 people and injuring 414; they seemed unstoppable. It was hell on earth.

Black Saturday Gallery

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July 6, 2015, California and the … continue reading »

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California’s Homeland Security Advisor Releases Statement on 9/11 Anniversary

Sep 11, 2016 7:00 am

SACRAMENTO – Today marks the 15th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and on United Airlines Flight 93.  In light of this deeply significant anniversary for the United States, Mark S. Ghilarducci, director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and homeland security advisor to Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., issued the following statement:

“Today, as we remember the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States of America, targeting the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and United Airlines Flight 93, these events still stand as salient reminders that terrorism remains a threat to our nation and even our state.

Our thoughts are with those who lost their lives and those whose lives have been forever changed by these … continue reading »

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Cal OES Director Secures Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA to Assist Response Agencies Battling Cedar Fire in Kern, Tulare Counties

Aug 22, 2016 2:14 pm

California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Director Mark Ghilarducci today secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the Cedar Fire burning in Kern and Tulare Counties. The FMAG also enables local, state and tribal agencies to recover eligible costs.

Cedar Fire 2016 082216

Thus far, the fire has burned approximately 19,200 acres, threatening structures near the areas off State Highway 155 towards Wofford Heights, Kernville and Alta Sierra. Cal OES is working with Cal FIRE, Kern County Fire Department and the US Forest Service to mobilize multiple fire strike teams and firefighters including fire engines, dozers, water tenders and fire retardant drops from aircraft as … continue reading »

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Cal OES Director Secures Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA to Assist Response Agencies Battling Clayton Fire in Lake County

Aug 14, 2016 6:02 pm

California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Director Mark Ghilarducci today secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the Clayton Fire burning in Lake County. The FMAG also enables local, state and tribal agencies to recover eligible costs.

Thus far, the fire has burned approximately 1,400 acres, several structures have been lost and the fire continues to threaten areas off State Highway 29 towards Lower Lake. Cal OES is working with Cal FIRE to mobilize multiple immediate-need fire strike teams and firefighters including fire engines, dozers, water tenders and fire retardant drops from aircraft as well as shelter operations staff and emergency communications capability.

Cal OES Fire, Law Enforcement and Coastal Region personnel are currently working with other response agencies to address all emergency management, evacuation and … continue reading »

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Cal OES Director Secures Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA to Assist Response Agencies Battling Pilot Fire in San Bernardino County

Aug 8, 2016 8:10 pm

California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Director Mark Ghilarducci today secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the Pilot Fire burning in San Bernardino County. The FMAG also enables local, state and tribal agencies to recover eligible costs.

Thus far, the fire has burned approximately 6,298 acres, threatening areas near Miller Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle area, Arrowhead Lake and Highway 138. Structures are threatened and evacuations are underway.

Cal OES Fire and Southern Region personnel are currently responding in concert with other federal, state and local agencies to address emergency management and mutual aid needs for the incident. The recent sustained, high temperatures around the state and historic statewide drought have made ideal environment for dangerous fire conditions throughout California.

The federal grant, which is provided … continue reading »

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