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.
In recognition of their service, Cal OES is launching a new employee spotlight video series – I am Cal OES – highlighting the best part of the agency – the staff. It takes a village to support the state’s emergency management operations statewide and help California communities.
This week, Cal OES welcomes you to learn more about Summer Wright with the Recovery Directorate, specializing in Individual Assistance. The work she does helps individuals, households, businesses, and agricultural communities recover after an emergency or disaster. Since 2017, Summer has coordinated over 40 different community-driven recovery centers, known formally as Local Assistance Centers.
“I really got into this line of work because of the humbling and fulfilling experience that Individual Assistance offers directly to survivors that have been impacted by a multitude of disasters that happen.” Wright said.
Prior to Cal OES Summer worked as a Prevention Coordinator at the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and received her Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science and Human Services at Sacramento State University.