In this episode (28) we talk with Bill Potter, Senior Emergency Services Coordinator for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. He’s been with Cal OES for 15 years, all with the Radiological Preparedness Unit as lead for the Nuclear Power Plant program.
In 1979, following the accident at Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, the California State Legislature mandated that the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), together with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and affected counties, investigate the consequences of a serious nuclear power plant accident. Based on site-specific studies in 1980, Emergency Planning Zones (EPZ) around the plant sites were established in detail and integrated plans were developed. Legislation mandating the NPP program has been continuous since 1979, enacted as Government Code and Health and Safety Code sections, called the Radiation Protection Act.
Bill Potter Instructs Diablo Canyon Ingestion Pathway Exercise Participants
The Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Program covers emergency planning issues related to the State’s one operating nuclear power plant – Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP). The NPP program also continues coordination with one decommissioning nuclear power plant – San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and two retired nuclear power plants – Humboldt Bay Nuclear Power Plant and Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station. The NPP program works with federal, state, local and utility officials in emergency planning, training and exercises to test emergency readiness. Together, through these combined preparedness efforts, the State of California provides reasonable assurance that appropriate measures can be taken to protect the health and safety of the public in the event of a radiological emergency at a nuclear power plant.
Bill Potter Boarding the USS Scranton SSN-756, San Diego, April 2017
Prior to coming joining Cal OES Potter spent 20 years in the US Air Force attached to many units including AFTAC, Nuclear Detection, Collection, and Analysis. He was a seismic systems maintenance technician, Airborne Scientific Laboratory Technician (SEO), DLI Arabic Language grad, and RSO at McClellan Central Lab.
With the Christmas decorations all set up and the excitement of the holidays in the air, it’s easy to forget about safety precautions and careful behavior — but knowing how to stay safe is just as important now as it is during the rest of the year! With the frosty holiday gusts and the exciting adventures to visit friends and family, many safety and home security issues come up that you might not have considered.
Follow these top five safety tips for the holidays, from Huffington Post’s Hometalker and safety expert Elli Bishop of SafeWise.com, to ensure that you are safe and prepared, and can enjoy your happy holidays free of stress and worry!
I went out to get my car today at the shop where it was being fixed and from one-thing to another the conversation turned to the recent 6.0 magnitude earthquake in Napa County. Nearly every Californian has heard about the damaged buildings and significant loss of precious wine bottles.
I shared that even though the news articles and newscasts show the worst of the disaster, that Napa County is still open for business and they have been very proactive in keeping shoppers and visitors coming to the region, even hours after the quake.
Although losing delicious wine is a travesty, it is an avoidable one! Whether you have a wine library, or a handful of bottles stored in the dining room, you need to secure those bottles so you do not end up with a mess of … continue reading »
Redlands – The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services continues to work towards the implementation of the most sophisticated earthquake early warning system that could potentially save millions of lives. Based on a whole community approach, today Cal OES hosted a second workshop in San Bernardino County to inform stakeholders of the state’s vision regarding the public-partnership component of the project, an implementation strategy and how to build on existing capabilities, including a strategy for outreach program goals; engagement of the private sector, utilities and transportation agencies; funding support; and other issues.
The first workshop was held on May 7 at the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo. “California has been working on an earthquake early warning system for many years,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci. … continue reading »
The Drought Task Force is taking a team approach to getting water resources where they are needed the most.
TULARE – Summer temperatures are already being felt throughout California, which are intensifying the effects of the ongoing, historic drought. Today, the Governor’s Interagency Drought Task Force met with local government officials from the Southern Central Valley to hear first-hand how the drought has affected their cities and counties.Tulare, Fresno, Kings and Kern County government officials, water managers, agricultural commissioners and local tribe leaders gathered at the Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s … continue reading »
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Small, nonfarm businesses in 11 Oregon counties and neighboring counties in California and Nevada are now eligible to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA). “These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by the drought that began March 1, 2014, in the following primary Oregon counties,” announced Tanya N. Garfield, Director of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West.
Primary Oregon counties: Jackson, Klamath, Lake and Lane;
Neighboring Oregon counties: Benton, Deschutes, Douglas, Harney, Josephine Lincoln and Linn;
Neighboring California counties: Modoc and Siskiyou;
Neighboring Nevada county: Washoe.
“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by … continue reading »
Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. ~Edith Sitwell
It seems a little odd to write about preparing for winter when it’s a comfortable 70 degrees outside at the Cal OES Headquarters in Mather. But, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac this winter is shaping up to be “bitterly cold,” with below-average temperatures in two-thirds of the country, so piercing cold that it could even bring a blizzard to the first outdoor Superbowl in years, according to the 200 year old publication.
We can’t be sure what type of weather California is expected to see this winter, but it’s a great reminder that severe weather can strike at any time (just like … continue reading »
