title
Adopt and present a resolution recognizing the month of September 2017 as National Preparedness Month (Chair Vasquez)
body
Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Sheriff recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing the month of September 2017 as National Preparedness Month.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. The goal of National Preparedness Month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action. Recognizing September as National Preparedness Month also complements the Board’s priority of addressing emergency preparedness.
This year, the Solano County Office of Emergency Services (OES), a unit within the Sheriff’s Office, will continue some of the successful activities conducted in past years. The County’s partnership with KUIC FM 95.3, a local radio station, supports year-round public service announcements to promote preparedness, informs the public on ways to prepare for emergencies, and provides up-to-date announcements in an emergency situation.
National Preparedness Month is recognized by all cities in Solano County. These cities, working along with OES, disseminate emergency preparedness information. Through the use of grant funding Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in Benicia, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun, Vacaville, and Vallejo are also an important link for OES and local cities to support emergency preparedness efforts.
In the past year, OES has:
• Hosted over 10 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) specific trainings for County staff assigned to respond to the EOC in the event of an emergency or disaster. The trainings ranged from entry level concepts to advanced incident command systems;
• Activated the EOC for the January and February 2017 severe storm events in which the County sustained over $10 million in estimated damages. OES coordinated with the County Department of Resources Management, cities, and special jurisdictions to compile damage estimates that aided in the State of California receiving three Federal Disaster Declarations;
• In conjunction with all seven cities, created an Emergency Management Working Group to develop countywide training, exercise, planning and response activities in order to leverage resources and strengthen the County’s disaster response and recovery;
• Used social media to disseminate emergency preparedness and warning messages to the County’s residents on a myriad of topics from wildfires and severe weather to criminal activity;
• Completed a communications center expansion project to provide excess capability for the future consolidation of fire and emergency dispatch services;
• Partnered with local theaters to run several emergency preparedness advertisements on the big screen supported with funds from the FY2017 Emergency Management Performance Grant.
Additional information on preparedness can be obtained online at www.solanocounty.com/oes <http://www.solanocounty.com/oes> or www.ready.gov <http://www.ready.gov>.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with adopting this resolution.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to adopt the attached resolution, however, this alternative is not recommended since non-adoption by the Board will not increase awareness about the importance of preparing for, nor encourage individuals to take action in emergencies.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Agencies and cities throughout the County will continue to work collaboratively to disseminate emergency preparedness information to the public.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION