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 Saagar Patel, IT Contracts Manager, IT Administration. His duties include planning, purchasing and implementing state-of-the-art technology for all Cal OES to ensure that every emergency management has the IT tools they need. Patel develops, solicits and awards IT Contracts to support Cal OES’ ability to mitigate the effects of disasters and protect Californians’ lives and property.
“I help various program areas modernize their technologies, bring new solutions on board,” Patel said. “I help people in the State OIperations Center and emergency situations communicate with one another, communicate across organizations with FEMA and different state agencies.”
Patel’s work is critical, ensuring Cal OES has advanced IT services during emergency times. Seeing how his work allows different teams to operate at peak efficiency motivates Patel and his team.
Patel previously worked for the US Navy as a Clinic Manager before joining Cal OES as an Associate Governmental Program Analyst in 2017 and is now an Information Technology Specialist. He went to the University of Maryland where he earned his Bachelor’s in Management Studies.