Administrative Orders

Administrative Orders (AO) have a long history, which began in 1953. AOs are agreements between the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and other state agencies and/or departments that have a preparedness, response, recovery, or mitigation capability in a disaster. The latest iteration of AOs was developed as a result of Executive Order W-9-91. Each state agency and department develops its own AO which becomes effective when it is signed by the Cal OES Director and the agency secretary and/or department director. The AOs may delegate authority and assign responsibilities to divisions, bureaus, field offices or other components of the agency and/or department.

AOs establish the detailed activities for each department as they relate to their role in the preparation and implementation of the California Emergency Plan which is the blueprint for the State’s disaster response.

AOs benefit state agency and departments by:

    • Summarizing and expanding upon the emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation functions of the State Agency, Department, Office, Board or Commission as is established in the California State Emergency Plan.
    • Providing for the assignment of functions to State Agencies to be performed before, during, and after an emergency and for the coordination and direction of the emergency actions of such entities.
    • Guiding the Director of Cal OES and the State Agency, Department, Office, Board or Commission Secretary/Director in coordinating priority tasks and programs that the State entity will perform with respect to emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.

Administrative Order Templates

Template A– May be used by agencies and departments that have a lead or supporting role in the State Emergency Plan and/or the CA-Emergency Support Functions.

Template B – May be used by departments, boards, and commissions that are not listed as a lead but a supporting role in the State Emergency Plan or the CA-Emergency Support Functions

Email Questions and Comments to

Email Questions and Comments to

Noele Richmond

Noele Richmond

Program Manager

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

Vanessa Vazquez

Vanessa Vazquez

Administrative Order Coordinator

Office: (916) 845-4562
Email: Vanessa.Vazquez@caloes.ca.gov