by Brad Alexander | Sep 16, 2017 | All
We take you behind the scenes to see how everyday citizens are training to be ready when disasters strike. It’s called Community Emergency Response Teams, or CERT, and each local program trains community members in basic disaster response skills, such as small...
by Brad Alexander | Sep 7, 2017 | All
SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Madera, Mariposa and Tulare counties due to the effects of the Railroad, Pier, Mission and Peak fires, which have burned thousands of acres, threatened homes and critical...
by Brad Alexander | Sep 4, 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 the...
by Brad Alexander | Sep 3, 2017 | All
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Los Angeles County due to the effects of the La Tuna Fire, which has burned thousands of acres, threatened homes and critical infrastructure and caused the evacuation of residents. To read the...
by Brad Alexander | Sep 2, 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 the...
by Brad Alexander | Sep 2, 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 the La...
by Brad Alexander | Sep 1, 2017 | All
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Butte County due to the effects of the Ponderosa Fire, which has burned thousands of acres, damaged critical infrastructure, destroyed homes and caused the evacuation of residents. The full text...
by Brad Alexander | Sep 1, 2017 | All
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued a proclamation declaring September 2017 as “National Preparedness Month” in the State of California. The text of the proclamation is below – or read on the governor’s website here. PROCLAMATION In the coming weeks...
by Brad Alexander | Sep 1, 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 the Helena...
by Brad Alexander | Aug 31, 2017 | All
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Trinity County due to the effects of the Helena Fire, which has burned thousands of acres, damaged critical infrastructure, destroyed homes and caused the evacuation of residents. Read the full...
by Monica Vargas | Aug 24, 2017 | All
California is no stranger to disaster. The coastal state has had more than its fair share of wrath from Mother Nature ranging from devastating earthquakes, monstrous wildfires, damaging floods and crippling drought. Knowing that preparedness and capability is...
by Bryan May | Aug 23, 2017 | Marked as Featured
Former NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino sat down for a Skype interview with Cal OES to talk about the recent solar eclipse, what it’s like being in space and the importance of always being prepared. You can view our full interview with Massimino on our Cal OES...
by Shawn Boyd | Aug 22, 2017 | Podcast
Press releases are starting to become a thing of the past, while podcasts, videos and infographics are becoming the future. Why? Information overload, smartphones and packed schedules (among many other reasons) is nudging traditional communications to adapt and change...
by Bryan May | Aug 14, 2017 | All
Despite being one of the largest counties in California, Modoc County has less than 9,000 residents. Hotels are few and far between in this rural county, so when over 2,000 fire personnel were assigned to battle the Modoc July Complex Fire, housing and logistics were...
by Bryan May | Aug 7, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
California’s 9-1-1 system received more than twenty-eight million calls in 2016 — more than 78,000 calls per day — and 80% of these calls were from wireless devices. Preliminary research from the California 9-1-1 Branch Education and Awareness...
by Monica Vargas | Aug 3, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
Emergencies can be overwhelming and the influx of information even more so. It can be confusing where to find official and accurate information, or how to know if what you’re reading on social media is true. Here are 5 ways to stay informed with facts before, during...
by Brad Alexander | Aug 2, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Modoc County due to the effects of several fires which have burned tens of thousands of acres, threatened homes and critical infrastructure, including power lines, and caused...
by Shawn Boyd | Aug 1, 2017 | All
Before and after a disaster hits Cal OES has emergency staff on the ground. These crews are some of the foot soldiers who have their fingers on the pulse of the communities they serve and establish important relationships long before any crisis. When disaster...
by Brad Alexander | Jul 20, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
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. In this week’s Quick Look we’ll show you a very powerful Public Service Announcement produced in...
by Brad Alexander | Jul 20, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
Today, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Executive Order B-41-17 to assist response and recovery agencies involved in battling the Detwiler Fire burning in Mariposa County. The entire text of the Executive Order is available below and at the Governor’s Office...
by Monica Vargas | Jul 20, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
Each and every one of us can do our part to keep communities safe by keeping our eyes and ears open. Whether you’re at a sporting event, concert, or hanging out at your local fair, remain alert to your surroundings. When something just doesn’t feel right, say...
by Shawn Boyd | Jul 18, 2017 | Podcast
Imagine this situation — the first time you visit New York City it just happens to be on 9/11. The second time you visit is during Hurricane Sandy, and the third time, would you even go back? The man we’re going to talk to today experienced that string of disasters...
by Brad Alexander | Jul 17, 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 the...
by Cal OES News Center | Jul 16, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Santa Barbara County due to the effects of the Alamo and Whittier fires, which have burned thousands of acres, damaged agriculture, businesses and critical infrastructure...
by Brad Alexander | Jul 15, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 15, 2017) — California’s firefighting mutual aid system continues working at full speed this weekend sending firefighters and resources from across the state to join the battle at 12 major wildfires threatening dozens of communities at...
by Bryan May | Jul 10, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
The sweltering Summer California heat brings with it dangers in many forms, including poor air quality that can be hazardous to certain groups and a health risk to all. During Spare The Air season, which runs from May 1 until October 31, California residents are...
by Brad Alexander | Jul 9, 2017 | 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 Wall Fire...
by Brad Alexander | Jul 9, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Butte County due to the effects of the Wall Fire, which has burned hundreds of acres, damaged critical infrastructure, threatened homes and caused the evacuation of residents. The...
by Bryan May | Jul 5, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
Chance Pardon loves his Summer job as a lifeguard in Los Angeles County. He considers his outgoing personality a key part of his job. “We’re friendly people. We like to talk to our guests,” Pardon said. “We’re up in our tiny box...
by Jonathan Gudel | Jun 30, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
The sounds. The colors. The pageantry and beauty. It’s all 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...
by Monica Vargas | Jun 29, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
Vacation season is officially here. While there’s lots to see and do here in the U.S., many travelers choose to spend that well-deserved time off in another country. Before you get on that airplane to head overseas, here are five things every international...
by Shawn Boyd | Jun 27, 2017 | All
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, in conjunction with Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, produced a series of public service announcements to remind people just how dangerous backyard pools can be. On June 16th, 2017, the agencies held...
by Bryan May | Jun 26, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
California is now home to an estimated 102 million dead trees, a number shocking to even the most trained eyes. “We’ve never experienced anything like this in California,” said Jeffrey Moore, an 18 year veteran of the US Forest Service. “I...
by Shawn Boyd | Jun 26, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
Record snowfall in the higher elevations this past season is melting and as a result rivers around California are flowing faster, harder and colder than they ever have. Many of these rivers run through national forests, and that’s where rangers are asking...
by Shawn Boyd | Jun 20, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
The five top things to monitor about your pets during the summer. Brought to you by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the Sacramento SPCA. Cal OES published this story five years ago but the information is still as valuable as ever....
by Brad Alexander | Jun 16, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) are reminding everyone to stay cool and hydrated as temperatures across the state continue to climb. For the next several days, temperatures are expected...
by Shawn Boyd | Jun 12, 2017 | All
California is known for earthquakes, but did you know we are also home to eight active volcanoes and more than 500 volcanic vents? What is the likelihood of a volcano erupting in California? In this week’s Inside Look, we talk to the people monitoring California’s...
by Bryan May | Jun 8, 2017 | Cal OES Press Releases
Most fires start small. If the fire is contained to a single object, such as a trash can, you may want to try using a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. Realizing you only have a few seconds before the fire will triple in size, deciding on when and how to use...
by Shawn Boyd | Jun 6, 2017 | Podcast
For this episode we are boiling down all the great information given to us by our Cal OES cyber security gurus who talk about some of things you and your agency/company can and should be doing to protect yourself from cybercrime. We talked to them last October, which...
by Shawn Boyd | Jun 2, 2017 | Marked as Featured
Large arenas and stadiums pose many security challenges. This “Inside Look” edition examines what you can do to help authorities, and each other, stay safe. Links Cal OES Law Enforcement Cal OES Large Stadium Initiative
by Shawn Boyd | May 23, 2017 | Podcast
In this episode of the All Hazards podcast Cal OES Deputy Director Kelly Huston takes over the mic and interviews host Shawn Boyd. At almost 30 episodes Mr. Huston thought this would be a good time to grill Mr. Boyd about what this foray into the podcasting world has...
by Shawn Boyd | May 9, 2017 | Podcast
In this episode (28) we talk with Bill Potter, Senior Emergency Services Coordinator for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. He’s been with Cal OES for 15 years, all with the Radiological Preparedness Unit as lead for the Nuclear Power Plant...
by Shawn Boyd | Apr 11, 2017 | Podcast
This is Episode 27 and today’s is Earthquake Early Warning Deputy Director of Planning, Preparedness and Prevention, Tina Curry talks about Earthquake Early Warning. As the Deputy Director of Planning, Preparedness and Prevention, Tina Curry oversees the Cal OES...
by Shawn Boyd | Mar 28, 2017 | Podcast
Ryan Arba is the branch chief for the Cal OES Earthquake and Tsunami Program. In this episode, Ryan talks about the program, its federal partner NOAA and the focus of this year’s Tsunami Preparedness Week events. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency...
by Shawn Boyd | Mar 14, 2017 | Podcast
Ray Ortega is the host of The Podcasters’ Studio and Podcasters’ Roundtable … both shows are podcasts about podcasting. He launched his first podcast in 2007 which was called Produce Picker Podcast. In 2009, he created The Podcasters’ Studio to share what he had...
by Shawn Boyd | Jan 31, 2017 | Podcast
What does a typical day on the job look like for Cal OES public information officer? Well, the answer to that is – there is no typical day. One thing you can count on is that it’s likely there won’t be a press release in draft mode; only for special occasions are...
by Shawn Boyd | Jan 16, 2017 | Podcast
In this, the 23rd, episode we sit down with Luis “Vance” Taylor, who is the Chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs at the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. He is a person who has not let his limited mobility slow him down in his personal or...
by Shawn Boyd | Dec 13, 2016 | Podcast
This episode brings us to the topic of homeland security in California. The State Threat Assessment System (STAS) describes its mission as Protecting society through shared information and communication. It fosters a collaborative effort to enhance the reporting,...
by Shawn Boyd | Dec 6, 2016 | Podcast
Kelly Hudson is an external affairs officers with FEMA, and is based in Region IX, Oakland, California. She’s worked for FEMA for 12 years, with ten of those in Region IX. In this episode (#21) she reflects on the many major disasters she’s worked and talks about the...
by Shawn Boyd | Oct 25, 2016 | Podcast
This episode (#18) Cal OES Deputy Chief Paul Tassone sits down at the mic with us. Chief Tassone is going on his 34th year in law enforcement, and his 6th with Cal OES. His career began with a tour of duty in Air Force when he got out of high school. While in he...
