Helping Californians prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) supports communities by providing them with the resources they need. Through disaster logistics, teams from Cal OES work with state and local partners to plan and prepare resources.
As Cal OES prepares for peak wildfire season, it has resources statewide ready to deploy as needed. Currently, Cal OES has four warehouses in Solano, San Bernardino, San Joaquin and Fresno with resources such as cots, blankets, comfort kits, emergency meals, and water.
“Disaster logistics is the most important thing; we move a lot of commodities into any events we are facing. Fire season is coming up and majority of the things we ship out is probably going to be a lot of water and possibly a lot of PPEs,” Dong Ton, Cal OES, said.
Having items at the ready is just one way disaster logistics helps communities before, during and after a disaster.
“To maintain a state of readiness, is what we like to call it. It is being ready at any moment. Being ready to put one of these shelter kits into a 53-foot trailer and to deploy it wherever it needs to go throughout the state based on need,” said Carly Goodrich, a Cal OES Senior Emergency Services Coordinator.
Recently, as California faced storms, Cal OES prepositioned resources and equipment in different parts of the state to keep communities safe from flooding and provide shelters with any needed items for survivors.
In addition, during the response to the global pandemic, Cal OES helped distribute personal protective equipment at vaccination sites and to other partners. These items included gloves, masks, gowns and goggles that the state sent local governments and community partners to help fight the spread of COVID-19.
Disaster logistics at Cal OES provides timely services and support for the people of California during emergencies, working tirelessly to respond to various emergencies and disasters throughout California.