To lead the San Benito County Operational Areas collective efforts to protect life, property, the environment by developing, coordinating, and managing programs that prevent, protect, respond to, recover from, and mitigate natural and man-made disasters and emergencies.

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION OVERVIEW

The Office of Emergency Services (OES) provides emergency management services for the County Operational Area, including its two principal cities, special districts, and political subdivisions. OES coordinates emergency operations activities among various local jurisdictions and develops written guidelines for emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigating natural or artificial disasters.

OES is responsible for planning, coordination, response support, and communications for agencies affected by large-scale emergencies or disasters. OES works in a cooperative effort with other governmental jurisdictions within the county. Disciplines such as law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, state and federal agencies, utilities, private industry, and volunteer groups to provide a coordinated response to disasters.

The Emergency Services Manager manages the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). In any disaster, the EOC becomes the single focal point for centralized management and coordination of emergency response and recovery operations during a disaster or emergency affecting the San Benito County Operational Area. The EOC will be activated when an emergency exceeds local and/or in-field capabilities to adequately respond to and mitigate the incident.

The San Benito County Office of Emergency Services (OES) is also responsible for administering several county emergency management programs daily.The San Benito County Office of Emergency Services is mandated by the California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7, Division 1, Title 2 of Government Code to serve as the liaison between the State and all the local government political subdivisions comprising San Benito County.

• Submitted final After-Action Report to State on mitigating the COVID-19 health emergency.

• Facilitated multi-jurisdictional workshops;

• Participated in Regional training and workshops;

• Wrote and distributed a quarterly newsletter for all employees;

• Provided GETS training for all Emergency Operations Center personnel and elected officials; and

• Disaster Recovery settlement with State & FEMA from Winter Storms 2021.

• Emergency Operations Center;

• Emergency Operations Center Training for personnel; and

• Retaining staff.

• Emergency Plan Management (all plans will need updating);

• Community Preparedness and Trainings;

• Grant Management; and

• Inventory of Grant Purchases.

• Emergency Plan Management (all plans will need updating);