California Coordinates Over 750 Workers and Vehicles for Rapid Response Utility Aid to States Hit by Hurricane Helene

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Sacramento, CA – In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed a four-member team from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) consisting of volunteer management and advanced planning experts to support ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts in Florida and Georgia.  

This deployment, facilitated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), demonstrates the strength of interstate collaboration in addressing large-scale disasters. 

Also this week, Cal OES is assisting in the coordination of more than 450 utility workers and 325 vehicles from California utility companies Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE) to support gas line and power restoration efforts.  

Coordinated through Cal OES, and in partnership with California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the state ensured safe and rapid transportation of utility personnel and equipment to support over six million residents who have been impacted in 10 states. 

This aid is in addition to 172 Incident Support Team (IST) and Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) firefighters Governor Newsom previously deployed from California/FEMA US&R Task Forces (TF) 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 from Los Angeles, Oakland, Orange County, Riverside, Sacramento and San Diego to bolster emergency response efforts.