Focusing on operational continuity, the California State Warning Center (CSWC) Mobile Command Unit (MCU) adds capacity to Cal OES to ensure the safety of all Californians during emergencies.
The 53-foot MCU can accommodate up to fourteen staff and features cellular and satellite capabilities, ensuring stable network coverage wherever it is stationed. With continuity of operations being a priority for Cal OES, the MCU takes fifteen minutes to set up and be operational.
The MCU mirrors the capabilities of the CSWC, including 24-hour situational awareness, incident detection, and notification to local, state, and federal levels of government.
This means that any impacts to the CSWC, including power and network outages, will trigger the activation of the MCU to provide a seamless transition of management of the state’s 24/7/365 emergency operations capabilities.
The CSWC is housed within the Cal OES headquarters in Sacramento.
Following the delivery of the MCU on December 19, 2025, Cal OES is now training staff on using the new resource, further strengthening the state’s preparedness efforts for future emergencies.
Beginning with the Train the Trainer exercise on January 5 and 6, Cal OES staff from Tactical Communications, Information Technology, Disaster Logistics, Logistics, and Fleet gained knowledge and provided feedback on the use of the MCU.
With continuous training, Cal OES aims to have staff trained and ready to run the MCU, should it activate during future emergencies.
