Recovery Directorate

​The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) responds to and aids in the recovery from emergencies within the State of California under the authorities of the California Emergency Services Act (ESA), the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA), the federal Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), and other legislation.

Within Cal OES, the Recovery Directorate is responsible for managing disaster recovery and providing assistance to local governments, special districts, certain nonprofit organizations, individuals, businesses and agricultural communities impacted by disasters. In addition, the Recovery Directorate ensures state and federal support are provided in an efficient and timely manner throughout the recovery process. The Recovery Directorate acts as the grantee for federally funded disaster assistance programs, as grantor for the state CDAA program, and coordinates recovery assistance for individuals, businesses, and the agricultural community. Our staff also provide expert review for environmental concerns, historical preservation activities, and technical support to reduce overall disaster costs and streamline the process of future recovery efforts. In support of these responsibilities, the Recovery Directorate also performs extensive liaison activities with local, state and federal agencies, legislators, various volunteer and nonprofit organizations, as well as the general public.

Our staff coordinate with state and local agencies, communities, organizations, and individuals to promote resiliency efforts throughout local communities, identify critical community functions both before and after a disaster to prioritize effective recovery operations, facilitate community preparedness and risk management actions to reduce long-term vulnerabilities, and support post-disaster community recovery and redevelopment.

The Recovery Directorate is comprised of three sections — Recovery Operations, Hazard Mitigation, and Interagency Recovery Coordination. Each section strives for excellence in recovery preparedness through the coordination of recovery planning efforts, the development of recovery training programs, and the involvement in emergency management exercises and drills.