CAO Office of Emergency Services

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Department Overview

The Office of Emergency Services (OES) is a department housed in the County Administrator's Office which acts as the lead agency fulfilling the County's requirements under the Emergency Services Act to coordinate the County government's role in response to disaster or critical event, whether it is a natural or man-made emergency. The OES serves as the emergency management agency for the County and the lead agency that fulfills the county’s requirements under the Emergency Services Act (Govt. code Section 8550 et. Seq.). OES also follows County Ordinance Code Chapter 2.40.

The purpose of OES is to coordinate emergency preparedness, response, and recovery within Tuolumne County. OES works collaboratively with other county departments, other jurisdictional partners, and the community to fulfill its purpose. Funding from an annual allocation of Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) funds are used to cover some of the costs to operate the program. Other grant funds provide additional funding for program costs.

Major Priorities of the Department

• Enhance public protective actions, promote domestic preparedness through a comprehensive and effective emergency services program that will mitigate against, prepare for, respond appropriately to, and quickly recover from emergencies that may impact the residents of Tuolumne County.

• Improve preparedness of Tuolumne County residents and visitors and work to reduce risk from catastrophic disasters.

Contributions to the Strategic Plan

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Emergency Preparedness - Creating a "Go" Bag

Allocated Positions by Year

Adopted Budget By Year

* Each department is part of a "Fund". Many times, a department or even a fund may show greater expense then revenues for the current fiscal year. This does not account for money that was not spent in prior years, also known as "beginning fund balance". When creating the annual budget Counties are required by law to adopt a balanced budget, meaning the total expense cannot exceed the sum of revenue plus beginning fund balances.

Accomplishments of the Department (FY 2023)

Worked to implement board goal of preventing Loss of Life and Reduce Property Damage Due to Catastrophic Fire by Creating a Strategic Plan for Wildfire Preparedness.

Objectives Completed:

1.1: Reduce Risk Through Fuels Management on Public and Private Lands;

  • Worked with partner agencies understanding fuels management needs
  • Applied for funding that would focus on fuels management along county roads that serve as primary or only route for evacuations. Funding was secured and we are implementing that grant currently.
  • Worked to develop creating hazardous vegetation management ordinance informational brochures. Will be going out to the property owners later this month.

1.2: Secure Sustainable/Long-Term Funding for Fire Protective Services and Vegetation Management;

  • Applied for and have been awarded 10 million dollar grant to provide fuels reduction and vegetation management within Tuolumne County.
  • Applied for funding for evacuation planning grant and currently implementing the award.
  • Applied for and awarded 20 million in Home hardening grant that will help harden homes from ember ignition.

1.3: Foster Community Participation and Engagement in Fire Prevention and Education Measures.

  • Provided assistance and education to creating Firewise communities within Tuolumne County. Total to date is 19.
  • Circulated education video for the public on emergency preparedness in conjunction with local law and fire agencies that has been circulated and shown in local movie theater.
  • Circulated a video with Tuolumne County Fire on Are you Ready? Importance of having a go bag ready for evacuations.
  • Created and paid for ad at local DMV on defensible space and preparedness.
  • Circulated brochure for dissemination on Tuolumne County Emergency Alert Notification System.
  • Circulate updated Tuolumne County Wildfire Evacuation Pamphlet.
  • Regularly posted on Office of Emergency Services Social media Facebook page to foster community engagement.
  • Held a Community Wildfire Evacuation Table Top Exercise with partners to educate the public on their responsibilities.
  • Attended meetings of local organizations such as Kiwanis, Tuolumne County Business Association, Lions Club, Rotary, Homeowners Associations and others to explain OES and our programs and services and importance of being a part of the solution.
  • Worked with consultants on Emergency Operations Plan Update and engaged with many of our access and functional needs partner committees and organizations.

Additional Accomplishments

  • Provide staff support to the Fire Safety Advisory Committee that meets monthly with local stakeholders and members of the public to discuss important issues such as education and outreach, evacuation planning and any governance issues.
  • Coordinate with Operational Area partners and key stakeholders on issues such as Fire, Drought, COVID, Extreme Temperature, Tree Mortality etc. in order to prepare for, respond to and recovery from any disaster or emergency within Tuolumne County.
  • Attend monthly meetings with Operational Area stakeholders, Fire Chiefs Association, Public Health Care and Safety Coalition, SWIFT, among others.
  • Coordinate and facilitate monthly Body of 5 meetings made up of Tuolumne County Sheriff, Tuolumne County Fire, Tuolumne County public Health, Sonora City Fire, Sonora City Police, that oversees Homeland Security Grant funds.
  • Coordinated with Tuolumne County Sheriff a test of the emergency alert notification system. Set up a public information line to answer questions of the public.
  • Created and maintained a Tuolumne County OES Facebook page to help inform the public.
  • Lead the county Recovery of impacts sustained from two Presidential Declared Disasters, working with FEMA to ensure maximum amount of reimbursed costs and supported operational area partners with technical support in the FEMA Damage Inventory and Assessment process.

Looking Forward – Goals for FY 2024 (And Beyond)

Continue to seek out funding for:

  • Training of county employees to staff EOC during an emergency
  • Acquisition of a designated OES mass care & sheltering trailer
  • Hazardous fuels reduction work along county roads and grant funding for vegetation management on private lands for those needing assistance.
  • Wildfire Mitigation funding for county wide projects.
  • CERT and Volunteer Program training, equipment and supplies

Continue to work collaboratively and openly with local partners and interested stakeholders through Operational Area Briefings and meetings with the Public.

  • Update of to incorporate outdoor audible alerts or sirens.
  • Continue outreach to communities and organizations about preparedness, Firewise, evacuations and emergency alert notification.

Improve volunteer program

  • Increasing volunteer recruitment outreach and program development
  • Provide training and coordination for volunteers
  • Develop CERT training program for interested volunteers within Tuolumne County