Planning & Preparedness

Emergency planning and preparedness is the process of systematically preparing for future events such as major incidents or disasters. Plans are needed for responding to the impacts of disasters and to maintain business continuity while managing the crisis.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility. It calls for the involvement of everyone — not just the government — in preparedness efforts. By working together, everyone can help keep California safe and help keep it resilient when disasters strike.

The Cal OES Planning and Preparedness Branch develops and maintains state-level emergency plans and planning guidance for state and local agencies. We do this by working with the whole community including:

    • State Agencies
    • Local and Tribal Governments
    • Businesses and the Private Sector
    • Non-governmental Organizations
    • Federal Government
    • Members of the Public

The principal program responsibilities for the Planning and Preparedness Branch are displayed below.

Planning Topics

Animal Preparedness

Resources to Support Small and Large Animals and Livestock in Disasters

Nuclear Power Preparedness

California’s Nuclear Power Preparedness Program

Statewide Emergency Preparedness Coordination

State Agencies Preparing for Disaster

Catastrophic Planning

Planning for the Worst Case Scenarios

School Emergency Planning and Safety

Resources for Schools and Districts

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)

Radiological Transportation in California

Community Planning

Supporting Local Emergency Planning with an Emphasis on the Whole Community

2017 State of California Emergency Plan & Emergency Support Functions

California’s Current Framework for Emergency Operations

Continuity Planning

Resources for Developing Continuity Plans and Programs

2023 California State Emergency Plan Public Review and Comment

August 1 – October 2, 2023

Emergency Management Systems

Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)

Resources on California’s Emergency Management System

Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP)

Standards, Assessment, and Accreditation Process for Disaster Preparedness Programs

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

Resources on the Nation’s Emergency Management System

Administrative Orders

Agreements Between Cal OES and Other State Agencies/Departments that have an Emergency Management Capability During Disasters

After-Action / Corrective Action Reporting

Lessons Learned and Improvement Planning from Previous Disasters

 

 

Disaster Council Accreditation

Resources and Authority for the Formation and Accreditation of Disaster Councils

State Plans and Publications

Program Contacts

Rose Nguyen

Rose Nguyen

Program Manager III, Preparedness Branch

Office: (916) 845-8646
Email: Rose.Nguyen@CalOES.ca.gov

Clifford Viernes

Clifford Viernes

Program Manager I, Emergency Management Systems

Office: (916) 845-8779
Email: Clifford.Viernes@CalOES.ca.gov

Lynne Olson

Lynne Olson

Program Manager II, Planning Division

Office: (916) 845-8762
Email: Lynne.Olson@CalOES.ca.gov

Noele Richmond

Noele Richmond

Program Manager I, Emergency Functions Planning

Office: (916) 845-8132
Email: Noele.Richmond@CalOES.ca.gov

Cari Porter

Cari Porter

Program Manager I, Community Planning

Office: (916) 845-8415
Email: Cari.Porter@CalOES.ca.gov

Darren Tsang

Program Manager II, Technological Hazards and Systems

Office: (916) 845-8797
Email: Darren.Tsang@CalOES.ca.gov

Tony Vasquez

Tony Vasquez

Program Manager I, Disaster Planning

Office: (916) 845-8792
Email: Tony.Vasquez@CalOES.ca.gov

Get emergency alerts

Wireless Emergency Alerts is a nation-wide system providing lifesaving information for the State of California