SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that two members from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) have been deployed to Alaska to assist with sheltering and recovery operations for residents displaced by a series of catastrophic storms in October.
The CDSS team will support the Alaska State Emergency Operations Center by providing expertise in shelter management and disaster recovery services, including case management, food and housing assistance, and unemployment support, to help affected Alaskans recover from the impacts of the October storms. The deployment is expected to last for two weeks.
“We are committed to serving communities most in need in times of crisis. Our teams are ready to step up to help those impacted by these storms, so they receive the care and access to essential services they need during their recovery.”- Kim Johnson, Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS).
Coordinated by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) at the request of the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The mission is being fulfilled through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). EMAC is a nationwide mutual aid system that enables states to request and send personnel, equipment and resources to assist with response and recovery efforts in other states.
“California continues to answer the call for assistance, sending skilled professionals wherever they’re needed most.” – Cal OES Director Nancy Ward
California stands ready to send additional support if requested. These deployments do not affect the state’s ability to respond to emergencies here at home.
California-based resources have been deployed to a long list of state, national, and even international disasters. Earlier this year, California resources responded to Texas, New Mexico, Oregon, Jamaica, Arizona, and Puerto Rico. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, 1992 Hurricane Iniki (Hawaii), the September 11, 2001 attacks, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, Hurricane Ian, and the Oklahoma City Bombing, are among other events California has supported.