by Jim Kyle | Nov 28, 2018 | Cal OES Press Releases
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued two executive orders to further assist communities recovering from devastating fires – one to help ensure students displaced by this month’s Camp, Woolsey and Hill fires are able to return to school as soon as possible and...
by Shawn Boyd | Nov 28, 2018 | Podcast
In this episode (#56) we sit down with the sheriff of Butte County, California, Kory Honea. His county, of course, was ravaged by the Camp Fire which broke out on November 8, 2018. The Town of Paradise, located within his county, was nearly completely destroyed by the...
by Brad Alexander | Nov 27, 2018 | Cal OES Press Releases
Editor’s Note: This information has been updated to reflect the latest updates regarding potential storm impacts to Southern California. In preparation for a rain event anticipated to impact the area near the Woolsey, Hill, Holy, Cranston, and...
by Robb Mayberry | Nov 21, 2018 | All, Allied Agency News
Uninsured citizens in California’s Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties are eligible for no-cost replacements of critical medications lost or damaged by the current wildfires in those counties. This relief comes from the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program...
by Robb Mayberry | Nov 18, 2018 | All
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As first responders continue to work tirelessly to contain the Camp Fire and protect the communities evacuated, behind the scenes state and federal agencies have deployed specialized medical teams to assist survivors at area shelters, and moved...
by Robb Mayberry | Nov 16, 2018 | Allied Agency News
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today advised residents of recent burn areas to use caution in cleaning up ash from wildfires. The ash from trees burned in forest fires is relatively nontoxic and...
by Monica Vargas | Nov 12, 2018 | Cal OES Press Releases
SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that the White House has approved California’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, submitted yesterday, to bolster the ongoing emergency response and help residents recover from devastating...
by Monica Vargas | Nov 9, 2018 | Allied Agency News, Cal OES Press Releases
SACRAMENTO – Acting Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the President and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have granted California’s request, submitted yesterday, for a Presidential Emergency Declaration for direct federal assistance to supplement the...
by Monica Vargas | Nov 9, 2018 | Cal OES Press Releases
From the State Operations Center in Mather today, state officials provided an update on the wildfires situation as well as resource coordination efforts taking place to address current and future needs for wildfire emergencies. With thousands forced from their homes...
by Brad Alexander | Nov 8, 2018 | Cal OES Press Releases, Governor Proclamations
SACRAMENTO – Acting Governor Gavin Newsom today sent a letter to the President and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requesting a Presidential Emergency Declaration for Direct Federal Assistance to support the communities impacted by wildfires burning across...
by Shawn Boyd | Nov 6, 2018 | Podcast
In this episode (55) we talk with veteran news photojournalist Tim Walton. He gives us a unique perspective on working with first responders during disasters, especially wildfires. Tim has also works with Cal OES, donating much of his dramatic fire footage to help...
by Shawn Boyd | Oct 23, 2018 | Podcast
In this episode of All Hazards we sit down with the current Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) for the California Wildfires Disaster Response David Samaniego. Large portions of the counties of Shasta and Lake in the north Bay Area of California were devastated by...
by Brad Alexander | Oct 12, 2018 | Cal OES Press Releases
Today, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services announced the selection for the Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) Non-Profit Pilot Grant Program. In total, $624,824 has been made available for this pilot grant to fund five proposals at up to $125,000...
by Shawn Boyd | Oct 9, 2018 | Podcast
On September 12, 2018, Cal OES deployed emergency and incident management specialists to assist with emergency response efforts for Hurricane Florence. The team arrived in South Carolina prior to the storm’s landfall and immediately began work. The 8-person team...
by Shawn Boyd | Oct 3, 2018 | Podcast
On September 12, 2018, Cal OES deployed emergency and incident management specialists to assist with emergency response efforts for Hurricane Florence. The team arrived in South Carolina prior to the storm’s landfall and immediately began work. The 8-person team...
by Shawn Boyd | Sep 18, 2018 | Podcast
According to the national Park Service, Yosemite National Park was first protected in 1864 and is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias and a vast wilderness...
by Bryan May | Sep 4, 2018 | Grant Announcements
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Victim Services & Public Safety Branch, Human Trafficking Unit, is pleased to announce the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Victim Legal Assistance Program (KL) for 2018-19. The...
by Shawn Boyd | Aug 28, 2018 | Podcast
At the height of the wildfire siege across California, when 15 major fires burned, there were more than 13,000 firefighters from 18 states and two other countries battling the blazes. Those countries included Australia and New Zealand. 41 of those firefighters were...
by Jonathan Gudel | Aug 16, 2018 | Cal OES Press Releases
As California residents work to recover from recent wildfires, they should be on guard for and report suspicious activity of potential fraud, scam artists and other criminals who prey on survivors. If you suspect someone is perpetrating fraud, call the National Center...
by Bryan May | Aug 15, 2018 | Inside & Quick Look Shows
A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), jointly operated by the State of California’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is open to offer residents affected by the recent wildfires disaster assistance. Representatives...
by Bryan May | Aug 14, 2018 | Inside & Quick Look Shows
Firefighters continue to make significant progress along the perimeter of the Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County, allowing Yosemite National Park to announce the reopening of Yosemite Valley to visitors as of 9 a.m. Tuesday. The Ferguson Fire is just one of 11 large...
by Brad Alexander | Aug 9, 2018 | All
SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Orange and Riverside counties due to the effects of the Holy Fire, which has threatened critical infrastructure, thousands of homes and other structures and has caused the evacuation...
by Robb Mayberry | Aug 9, 2018 | Cal OES Press Releases
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an executive order to cut red tape and help streamline recovery efforts in communities impacted by the devastating wildfires that continue to burn in Lake, Siskiyou, Shasta, Mendocino and Napa counties. There are 15 major...
by Bryan May | Aug 7, 2018 | Inside & Quick Look Shows
California’s Mutual Aid system is considered the best in the world, but it relies on local fire departments all over California answering the call when needed. Meet some of the nearly 4,000 firefighters working on the largest wildfire in California history, including...
by Bryan May | Aug 7, 2018 | Inside & Quick Look Shows
Nearly 14,000 firefighters are on the front lines of 17 large wildfires across California. To date, these fires have burned over 619,000 acres and damaged or destroyed over 2,000 structures. Nearly 36,000 residents remain under evacuation. The Mendocino Complex...
by Brad Alexander | Aug 4, 2018 | Cal OES Press Releases
SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that the White House has approved California’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration submitted to the President earlier today to help with the impacts of the wildfire in Shasta County....
by Brad Alexander | Jul 29, 2018 | Cal OES Press Releases
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 Ranch Fire...
by Bryan May | Jul 26, 2018 | Governor Proclamations
SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Mariposa County due to the effects of the Ferguson Fire, which has threatened homes and critical infrastructure and caused power outages and the evacuation of residents. Earlier...
by Brad Alexander | Jul 25, 2018 | All
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 Cranston Fire...
by Brad Alexander | Jul 24, 2018 | All
Check out Episode 49 of the All Hazards Podcast brought to you by Cal OES! California will be blasted with heat advisories and excessive heat warnings as temperatures will be between 10 to 15 degrees above normal Tuesday through Thursday. Why is that so dangerous, and...
by Brad Alexander | Jul 23, 2018 | Cal OES Press Releases
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 Carr Fire...
by Brad Alexander | Jul 7, 2018 | Cal OES Press Releases
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 Holiday Fire...
by Brad Alexander | Jul 6, 2018 | Governor Proclamations
SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for San Diego County due to the effects of the West Fire, which has destroyed homes, threatened critical infrastructure and caused the evacuation of residents. Link to Governor’s...
by Brad Alexander | Jul 5, 2018 | All
SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Siskiyou County due to the effects of the Klamathon Fire, which has destroyed structures, threatened homes and critical infrastructure and caused the evacuation of residents. The full...
by Brad Alexander | Jul 5, 2018 | All, Cal OES Press Releases
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 Klamathon Fire...
by Shawn Boyd | Jul 3, 2018 | Podcast
Kim Zagaris, or Chief Z as some call him, is the State Fire and Rescue Chief for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES); he was appointed on April 1, 2001. He admits his appointment rattled cages, nerves and even a few careers. He’s not only...
by Jonathan Gudel | Jul 2, 2018 | All
The pageantry and beauty is what makes watching fireworks a timeless tradition. While the spectacle is often enjoyed on a grand scale, especially on the Fourth of July, it can also create a traumatic experience for pet owners. Those same abundance of sounds and colors...
by Robb Mayberry | Jun 25, 2018 | All
SACRAMENTO– 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...
by Brad Alexander | Jun 24, 2018 | Cal OES Press Releases
SACRAMENTO – 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...
by Shawn Boyd | Jun 19, 2018 | Podcast
In this episode we tag along with professional rattlesnake wrangler Lou Fraser, and state park ranger Kerrie Launey. Fraser shows us the kind of habitat in which rattlesnakes can be found, and educates us on their some of their behavior and some of the mistakes people...
by Jonathan Gudel | Jun 12, 2018 | All
Can you imagine finding your child floating face down in your own pool? It happened, but this story does have a happy ending and we’re using it as a reminder for all. Backyard swimming pools will once again be busy this summer. Know what to do to prevent a drowning in...
by Shawn Boyd | Jun 5, 2018 | All, Podcast
In this episode (#46) we take you to Super Thursday, a sort of “final exam day” for students attending the California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) Hazmat Specialist course. We talk with Alex Cabassa, Cal OES Assistant Director, and CSTI Superintendent about...
by Robb Mayberry | May 18, 2018 | All
As the weather becomes warmer, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and poison control officials are warning Californians to be aware of rattlesnake encounters. In fact, just recently a rattlesnake was spotted at Cal OES headquarters. Rattlesnakes do not...
by Shawn Boyd | May 15, 2018 | Marked as Featured, Podcast
Cal OES and 12 assignee local government fire departments are parties to a contractual agreement permitting the use of the Cal OES Type II HazMat Response Vehicles for local emergency response, out-of-service HazMat vehicles, training, exercises, and other needs. In...
by Shawn Boyd | Apr 24, 2018 | Podcast
From December 4th to December 22nd, 2017, the Thomas Fire cost more than 177 million dollars to fight, and forced the evacuation of more than 104 thousand people and had 8,500 firefighters from 22 states simultaneously working to contain it. But let’s not forget about...
by Shawn Boyd | Apr 10, 2018 | Podcast
It’s been six months since the October 2017 wildfires ravaged Northern California. Through coordination with California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and in close partnership with FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. EPA, Cal EPA and...
by Shawn Boyd | Apr 3, 2018 | Video Packages
Another surge of tropical moisture will arrive in Central California by late week, and could last into the weekend. This warm and wet system has the potential to bring heavy rain, flooding, and debris flows, especially near recent burn scars. Southern California could...
by Shawn Boyd | Mar 26, 2018 | Podcast
In recent months, California and our nation has been no stranger to devastating natural and man-made emergencies. So, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) joined the California National Guard’s Homeland Response Force (HRF) and 95th Civil...
by Brad Alexander | Mar 5, 2018 | All
Following the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Fla., California’s public instruction chief and its top homeland security official sent a joint message to school superintendents and emergency management officials across the state emphasizing the importance of...