California Joins Partnership Encouraging Young Women to Explore Careers in Cybersecurity
SACRAMENTO – As more threats to California move to the online world, preparing and cultivating highly skilled professionals to lead cybersecurity efforts has become a major focus for California. Today, Homeland Security Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom and Director of...
32 Properties Affected by Woolsey, Hill Fires Cleared of Structural Debris by State Contractors
Even though steady rains in Southern California today are preventing state contractors from conducting debris removal operations on properties in the Woolsey and Hill burn areas, officials with the Debris Removal Operations Center (DROC) in Calabasas report that...
Cal OES Fire & Rescue Branch Welcomes 10,000 Pieces of Appreciation
After more than 20 years in the fire service, Cal OES Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Pete Mercado thought he’d seen it all. That would all change the day he came face-to-face with a handcrafted replica of the Cal OES Fire and Rescue patch logo made out of 10,000 LEGO...
Cal OES Pre-Positions Critical Fire and Rescue Public Safety Resources Ahead of Strong Winter Storm
In preparation for significant rainfall forecasted throughout the state, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) continues to work with local public safety agencies to coordinate and deploy the strategic pre-positioning of specialized fire, rescue and...
SBA Supera los $350 Millones en Préstamos de Desastres Aprobados
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Tanya N. Garfield, Directora del Centro Oeste de Operaciones de Terreno para Desastres (Disaster Field Operations Center-West) de la Administración Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA por sus siglas en inglés), anunció el día de hoy que SBA ha...
SBA Tops $350 Million in Disaster Assistance Loans
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West announced today that SBA has approved $351.7 million in federal disaster loans for California businesses and residents impacted by...
U.S. EPA and California DTSC near completion of Camp Fire household hazardous waste removal operations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) have cleared household hazardous waste from more than 99 percent of properties in the Town of Paradise and Butte County as part of the Camp Fire...
More than 300 Site Assessments, 230 Asbestos Surveys Completed by State Contractors at Properties Affected by Woolsey, Hill Fires
State contractors have completed site assessments of 324 private properties that were destroyed in the Woolsey and Hill fires and whose owners have opted into the state’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program, officials at the Debris Removal Operations Center in...
Marshall Sworn in as New Cal OES Fire Chief
Today, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Director Mark Ghilarducci officially swore in Brian Marshall as the new Fire and Rescue Chief. He was appointed to his new position in December. Chief Marshall spent the previous six years as...
Cal OES Pre-Positions Critical Fire and Rescue Public Safety Resources Ahead of Storm Impacts
In preparation for significant rainfall forecasted in areas of recent burn-scarred hillsides throughout Southern California, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) continues to work through the weekend with local public safety agencies to coordinate and...
FEMA extiende la fecha límite para solicitar asistencia por desastre al 15 de febrero
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Los residentes de los condados de Butte, Los Ángeles y Ventura que sufrieron daños por los incendios forestales de Camp, Hill o Woolsey tienen 15 días adicionales para solicitar asistencia de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA,...Woolsey Fire Survivors in Los Angeles County Late Submission Period for Right-of-Entry Forms Open Until Feb. 15
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), in conjunction with Los Angeles County and participating state and federal agencies, announced today that they would be extending the date and accepting Woolsey Fire survivor’s Right-of-Entry (ROE)...
Cal OES Pre-Positions Critical Firefighting Resources, Personnel in Riverside County
In preparation for intense rainfall in the areas near recent wildfire burn scar zones in Southern California, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has strategically pre-positioned critical fire resources and personnel in Riverside County. These...
Podcast #57: CAL FIRE’s Mike Mohler Indicates Paradigm Shift in the Wind for Wildland Fires in California Following Historical Disasters
In this episode (# 57) we talk with Mike Mohler, Deputy Director of Communications for CAL FIRE. In his current role, as well as his prior position as Battalion Chief at Southern Region, Mike has worked many of California’s biggest wildfire disasters,...
Disaster Recovery Center in Paradise Offers Wildfire Survivors Assistance, Resources
A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) operated in partnership by California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is open in Paradise to provide important recovery resources to Butte County residents and...
Great Progress Being Made with Household Hazardous Waste Removal in Butte County
Phase-I Hazardous Household Waste removal is nearing the end in Butte County. Then it’s on to Phase-II. This is an update to the process, how it works and what’s next. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGgujmwaKbI[/embedyt] Links...
Abre Centro de Recuperación por Desastre en Paradise
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – El tercer Centro de Recuperación por Desastre (DRC, por sus siglas en inglés) en el condado de Butte se abrirá en Paradise mañana para brindar a los residentes afectados por los incendios forestales de California recursos estatales y federales. El...
There is Still Time
January 31, 2019 is an important deadline for survivors of the Camp and Woolsey Fires. As Phase 1 (Household Hazardous Waste operations) nears completion and Phase 2 (Debris Removal operations) begins, there is a fast-approaching deadline, which property owners should...
What is HAZWOPER Training?
The Camp Fire in Butte County destroyed or damaged over 14,700 parcels containing structures. These structures are on mostly private property that either require individual property owners to sign a Right of Entry form or will go through an abatement process for...
State & Federal Support For November Wildfire Survivors Continues To Reach Milestones
Recovery efforts to help the affected communities and survivors affected by the November wildfires in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties continues to move forward with all hands on deck. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) continues...
With Rain in the Forecast, Cal OES Pre-Positions Critical Firefighting Resources, Personnel in 3 Southern California Counties
In preparation for intense rainfall in the areas near recent wildfire burn scar zones in Southern California, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has strategically pre-positioned critical fire resources and personnel in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los...
With Deadline Approaching, Wildfire Survivors Are Urged To Sign Right Of Entry Form
Survivors who had property damaged or destroyed in the Camp Fire in Butte County have until Jan. 31 to opt in or out of the state’s consolidated debris removal program. “It really is critical that we get as many people as we can to opt in so we have as clean of...
Wildfire Debris Removal Operations Center to Open Monday in Calabasas
Los Angeles and Ventura county property owners whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged during the Hill and Woolsey fires and are interested in opting in to the state’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program meet face-to-face with debris removal experts from the...
Nearly $350 Million in Federal Grants and Loans for Wildfire Survivors
Over the two months since wildfires in two disparate regions of the state grew into deadly disasters of historic proportions, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have approved more than $347 million in grants...
State Representatives to Discuss State Debris Removal Program During Meeting Saturday at King Gillette Ranch
Representatives from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and CalRecycle will discuss the state’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program and how the participation of private property owners whose homes were destroyed or damaged by the Woolsey...
After Applying for FEMA Assistance, it’s Important to Keep in Touch
Immediately after a disaster, keeping in touch with family is important. It’s also important to keep in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after you have registered for disaster assistance. Many survivors of the November wildfires in Butte, Los...
Beware of Post-Wildfire Scams
State and federal recovery officials urge California residents to watch for and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud from scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals who may try to prey on survivors of the Camp, Hill and Woolsey wildfires. Common...
SBA Disaster Assistance Available to California Private Nonprofit Organizations
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to certain private nonprofit organizations in California following President Trump’s federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance as a result of wildfires that occurred Nov. 8-25, 2018,...
$180 millones en Subvenciones y Préstamos Aprobados para los Sobrevivientes de los Incendios Forestales
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Un mes después de que tres condados de California se vieran afectados por los incendios forestales más destructivos y letales que se recuerdan, las agencias federales y estatales han proporcionado casi $180 millones en subvenciones y préstamos...
SBA Tops $100 Million in Disaster Assistance Loans for California Wildfires
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West announced today that SBA has approved more than $114 million in federal disaster loans for California businesses and residents impacted by...
Butte, Ventura Co. DRCs Closing on Sundays; Butte County Changing Hours
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Hours and days of operation at Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Chico and Oroville in Butte County will change this weekend. Beginning Sunday, Dec. 9, both DRCs will be closed on Sundays. Hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday, 9...
Butte County: Right-of-Entry Center Opens Monday for Debris Removal Program
A Right-of-Entry (ROE) Center will open Monday, December 10, for property owners to hand in ROE forms and ask questions about the Debris Removal Program. ROE Center Information: Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Saturday Address: 202 Mira Loma Drive,...
Wildfire Debris Removal Operations FAQ for Butte County
Following are the most frequently asked questions specific to the Butte County Debris Removal Program. This operation initially involves removal of hazardous waste followed by removal of the remaining fire-related debris. The entire removal process is on-going and...Warning: Undefined variable $caweb_first_video in /bitnami/wordpress/wp-content/themes/CAWeb-1.13.0/index.php on line 48
Butte County Welcomes Thousands Of Students Back To School
Thousands of students in Butte County returned to school Monday, December 3, after missing the last three weeks due to smoke damage from the Camp Fire. The Butte County Office of Education has scheduled several welcome back rallies to welcome students, teachers and...
Cal OES delivers Haz Mat Engine to San Bernardino FD
Dealing with disasters such as wildfires, mudslides and earthquakes are generally associated with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). However, when it comes to the disastrous effects of flammable or poisonous materials that endanger life...
Governor Brown Takes Action to Bolster Wildfire Recovery in Communities Across the State
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued two executive orders to further assist communities recovering from devastating fires – one to help ensure students displaced by this month’s Camp, Woolsey and Hill fires are able to return to school as soon as possible and...
Podcast #56: Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea Talks Candidly About the Camp Fire
In this episode (#56) we sit down with the sheriff of Butte County, California, Kory Honea. His county, of course, was ravaged by the Camp Fire which broke out on November 8, 2018. The Town of Paradise, located within his county, was nearly completely destroyed by the...
Cal OES Pre-Positioning Specialized Fire Mutual Aid Resources and Personnel in Southern California
Editor’s Note: This information has been updated to reflect the latest updates regarding potential storm impacts to Southern California. In preparation for a rain event anticipated to impact the area near the Woolsey, Hill, Holy, Cranston, and...
HHS Activates Aid for Uninsured Californians in Need of Medications Lost in Wildfires
Uninsured citizens in California’s Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties are eligible for no-cost replacements of critical medications lost or damaged by the current wildfires in those counties. This relief comes from the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program...
State and Federal Agencies Supporting Camp Fire Shelters with Specialized Resources and Health Professionals
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As first responders continue to work tirelessly to contain the Camp Fire and protect the communities evacuated, behind the scenes state and federal agencies have deployed specialized medical teams to assist survivors at area shelters, and moved...
Cleaning Up Wildfire Ash Safely – CDPH Recommends Ways to Avoid Potential Health Hazards
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today advised residents of recent burn areas to use caution in cleaning up ash from wildfires. The ash from trees burned in forest fires is relatively nontoxic and...
Governor Brown Secures Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to Support Communities Impacted by Wildfires
SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that the White House has approved California’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, submitted yesterday, to bolster the ongoing emergency response and help residents recover from devastating...
California Secures Federal Assistance to Support Communities Impacted by Wildfires
SACRAMENTO – Acting Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the President and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have granted California’s request, submitted yesterday, for a Presidential Emergency Declaration for direct federal assistance to supplement the...
All Hands on Deck as California Wildfires Continue to Threaten Communities
From the State Operations Center in Mather today, state officials provided an update on the wildfires situation as well as resource coordination efforts taking place to address current and future needs for wildfire emergencies. With thousands forced from their homes...
Acting Governor Newsom Requests Presidential Emergency Declaration for Direct Federal Assistance for Wildfires
SACRAMENTO – Acting Governor Gavin Newsom today sent a letter to the President and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requesting a Presidential Emergency Declaration for Direct Federal Assistance to support the communities impacted by wildfires burning across...
Podcast #55: Tim Walton Documents Disasters While Looking Through a Viewfinder, a Unique Perspective
In this episode (55) we talk with veteran news photojournalist Tim Walton. He gives us a unique perspective on working with first responders during disasters, especially wildfires. Tim has also works with Cal OES, donating much of his dramatic fire footage to help...
Podcast #54: From the Water in Flint to the Water in Puerto Rico with FEMA’s David Samaniego
In this episode of All Hazards we sit down with the current Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) for the California Wildfires Disaster Response David Samaniego. Large portions of the counties of Shasta and Lake in the north Bay Area of California were devastated by...
Cal OES Announces Grant Funds for Non-Profit Programs Creating Safer Communities in California
Today, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services announced the selection for the Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) Non-Profit Pilot Grant Program. In total, $624,824 has been made available for this pilot grant to fund five proposals at up to $125,000...