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...
by Brad Alexander | Mar 5, 2018 | All
California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley and California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Director Mark Ghilarducci today released a joint letter to campuses and emergency management officials across the state emphasizing the importance of...
by Shawn Boyd | Feb 27, 2018 | All, Podcast
In this episode, we talk with Deputy Chief Larry Collins, who is the Cal OES Fire and Rescue Deputy Fire Chief of the Special Operations and Hazardous Material Unit. He oversees the State Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response Program which includes response,...
by Brad Alexander | Feb 15, 2018 | All
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It’s been one month since FEMA’s Individual Assistance program was approved for Southern Californians in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Here’s an update on recovery numbers as of close of business Feb. 14: • 582...
by Bryan May | Feb 9, 2018 | Inside & Quick Look Shows
When it comes to search and rescue operations in dangerous winter conditions, training is crucial. In this edition of Inside Look, we go behind the scenes with a Winter Search and Rescue Training Exercise on Mount Shasta organized by our Cal OES Law Enforcement Branch...
by Shawn Boyd | Feb 7, 2018 | All
Recent disasters in the US and around the world have resulted in lost communications. Whether hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or terror attacks response to a disaster is made more difficult without effective communications. Cal OES has at least...
by Shawn Boyd | Jan 23, 2018 | Podcast
We sit down with Amber Anderson, an 18 year veteran firefighter, and 10 year veteran of the Santa Barbara City Fire Department. She’s a member of the Santa Barbara County Type-3 Incident Management Team, a fire inspector and investigator and public information...
by Bryan May | Jan 12, 2018 | Governor Proclamations
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an executive order to further assist recovery efforts in Southern California related to the Thomas Fire and subsequent mudslides. The order helps ensure there’s the staffing and resources needed to continue to respond to the...
by Brad Alexander | Jan 3, 2018 | Allied Agency News
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of California to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires from December 4,...
by Bryan May | Dec 28, 2017 | Inside & Quick Look Shows
A Special Edition of Inside Look: Find out what made 2017 one for the record books in California. We take a look back at some of the biggest events and stories we covered throughout the year – from volcanoes to flooding to wildfires. It was quite a year.
by Shawn Boyd | Dec 19, 2017 | Podcast
Download this episode (right click and save) With tens of thousands of homes that need rebuilding after the fire sieges in both northern California and southern California, survivors will need reputable, licensed contractors. And contractors will be looking for work;...
by Cal OES News Center | Dec 6, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – With strong winds expected overnight and extreme fire conditions in the forecast through Friday in Southern California, public safety officials will issue a region-wide emergency alert at 8:00 P.M. PST Wednesday asking residents to stay ready,...
by Cal OES News Center | Dec 5, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) 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 a...
by Monica Vargas | Nov 18, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Si usted, posterior a los incendios de octubre, no se ha inscrito con la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés), pero FEMA o la Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa de los Estados Unidos...
by Shawn Boyd | Nov 6, 2017 | All
The stress of losing one’s home only starts with the rubble left behind. Survivors’ resilience is now being tested by the long and arduous task of rebuilding their lives. John McCaull, a resident of Glen Ellen says, “it’s actually been my job...
by Brad Alexander | Oct 26, 2017 | All, Allied Agency News
The California Air Resources Board continues to receive inquiries about portable air cleaners from those impacted by recent wildfires. In an effort to ensure that consumers are able to identify safe, effective air cleaners that will reduce their exposure to smoke and...
by Cal OES News Center | Oct 23, 2017 | Allied Agency News
Households impacted by recent wildfires in Northern California could be eligible for help buying food through USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced today....
by Brad Alexander | Oct 21, 2017 | All
Building on efforts to help streamline the recovery in communities impacted by California’s devastating wildfires, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an executive order allowing the federal government to help with the initial removal of hazardous waste that...
by Jonathan Gudel | Oct 17, 2017 | All
Statewide wildfires that scarred communities across Northern and Southern California now pose a new threat. As changing weather patterns and tireless work of more than 11,000 firefighters boost containment lines, communities devastated by the fires face potential...
by Brad Alexander | Oct 15, 2017 | All
PDF VERSION ENGLISH PDF EN ESPAÑOL Insurance: If you have insurance, you do not have to fille an insurance claim before applying for FEMA assistance. You are encouraged to contact your insurance company as soon as possible to start your insurance claim process. When...
by Brad Alexander | Oct 13, 2017 | All
Understanding Individual Assistance and Public Assistance The Federal Emergency Management Agency may provide two types of assistance, following natural disasters with a presidential disaster declaration: Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. Individual...
by Brad Alexander | Oct 12, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
California state officials held their daily press briefing on the devastating wildfires. The key facts presented during the press conference are listed below the video. Click on video below to play. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc35iwB1l-o[/embedyt] If...
by Jonathan Gudel | Oct 12, 2017 | All
The unpredictably of living in a disaster-prone state such as California reinforces the importance of ensuring that residents are always prepared. Whether it’s an earthquake, flood or wildfire, it is paramount to have a plan and be ready. During these events,...
by Monica Vargas | Oct 9, 2017 | Governor Proclamations
Requests Presidential Major Disaster Declaration Due to Northern California Fires SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Butte, Lake, Mendocino, Nevada and Orange counties due to the effects of multiple fires, including...
by Monica Vargas | Oct 5, 2017 | All
You may be ready for the next emergency, but did you remember to prep your pet? We usually make emergency preparedness plans for ourselves and our family, but we often times overlook our other important family members…our pets. Preparing your pet before, during and...
by Jonathan Gudel | Oct 4, 2017 | All
As Las Vegas recovers from the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, where nearly 60 people died and more than 500 were wounded when a shooter opened fire from a hotel room onto unsuspecting concertgoers at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, the importance of...
by Bryan May | Sep 29, 2017 | All
October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) is designed to educate and to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. For...
by Monica Vargas | Sep 22, 2017 | en Español
Quieres tomar pasos para estar preparado para un desastre o emergencia? ¿No sabes por dónde empezar? Comience con un kit de emergencia. Aquí están algunas recomendaciones de artículos para su kit: Agua Alimentos enlatados Radio portátil de pilas Linterna Pilas...
by Jonathan Gudel | Sep 20, 2017 | All
Living in California, there are constant reminders about the threat of earthquakes. On average, Southern California has about 10,000 earthquakes each year. Prioritizing earthquake preparedness is a must for all Californians. With various regions of the United States...
