Response Support Operations
The Response Support Operations (RSO) division is primarily responsible for providing direct support to the State Operations Center (SOC) and other critical state emergency response activities. Responsibilities include activation of the SOC, including the initial coordination of resource requests utilizing the Resource Request System, and supporting three Cal OES Administrative Regions.
RSO is responsible for maintaining the Operational Readiness Program, which serve as a surge-capacity force ready to activate during major incidents. Additionally, RSO is responsible for the operational integration of CA Emergency Support Functions (CA-ESF) and external partners into California’s emergency management system (2 CCR § 8585.e, 8585.1; SEP 10.5.3).
RSO is charged with facilitating the Emergency Management Assistance Compact program for the state and serves as the principal division in the rollout of MissionEdge across the Response Directorate.
Operational Readiness Program
The Emergency Services Act designates Cal OES as the state public safety agency responsible for overseeing and coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and homeland security activities for California. RSO supports the SOC by maintaining an active cadre of staff on red, white, and blue Incident Support Teams (ISTs). On a rotating basis, each of the IST’s may be activated to the SOC during an incident. The Operational Readiness Teams (ORTs) serve as additional agency personnel ready to activate for larger or longer duration incidents. With specific exceptions, all Cal OES employees serve on an IST or ORT. A core IST leads each ORT team (2 CCR § 8585.e, 8585.1; SEP 10.5.3).
MissionEdge
MissionEdge is Cal OES’ primary workforce management tool used for the deployment and tracking of emergency management professionals during California’s response and recovery operations. By tracking Responder training, exercises, and hands-on experiences, MissionEdge helps build a knowledgeable, adaptable, and resilient workforce that is ready to support emergency operations and recovery efforts in places such as the State Operations Center (SOC), Joint Field Office (JFO), or Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) missions, and more. Future enhancements will strengthen OES’ ability to manage credentials, certificates, and operational experiences, ensuring Responders are fully qualified and ready to meet the evolving challenges of emergencies and disasters.
Emergency Management Assistance Compact
The State of California, including all other U.S. States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, are all members of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) – the nation’s state-to-state mutual aid system. The Compact allows states to send personnel, equipment, and commodities to assist with response and recovery efforts during governor-declared states of emergency or disaster.
Pursuant to AB 823 (Chapter 233: filed with Secretary of State, September 13, 2005), Cal OES is designated as the agency responsible for all EMAC coordination on behalf of the State of California and is conducted in accordance with the State Emergency Plan (SEP), the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Cal OES’ Response Support Operations division is responsible for all EMAC-related activities by regularly evaluating mutual aid requests from impacted states and territories and deploying resources to those areas to aid affected communities. Conversely, when necessary, California utilizes EMAC to request resources from other EMAC member-states.
For specific EMAC information, please refer to the EMAC website (www.emacweb.org) or contact the State EMAC Coordinator.
Joshua Hirschkorn, State EMAC Coordinator
Joshua.hirschkorn@caloes.ca.gov
emac@caloes.ca.gov
(916) 926-9546