Over the past several years, the state has experienced an unprecedented number of emergencies and disasters. As these climate-driven natural disasters become more severe in California, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) staff has met each new challenge head-on.
The nearly 2,000 staff at Cal OES have responded to increasingly complex disasters in fresh and innovative ways, strengthening the foundation of emergency management to prepare for, respond to and recover from all types of emergencies and disasters.
This week, Cal OES welcomes you to learn more about Cruz Ponce, Senior Emergency Services Coordinator in the Southern Region.
As a critical part of the Cal OES Response Branch, his duties include creating and maintaining relationships with the local emergency services leaders throughout the Southern California Region.
“I love my job because I get to live and work in my community,” Ponce said. “It’s Californians working for Californians.”
In particular, Ponce has been instrumental in Cal OES’ operations in San Diego from this year’s floods, not only coordinating with San Diego city and county, but also working with the rest of the Southern Region team.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be a Cal OES employee,” Ponce said.
Ponce has worked with Cal OES for more than eight years in the Southern Branch Region.