text:
(a) For the purposes of this section, all of the following definitions apply:

(1) “Cooling center” means a facility established to mitigate the public health impacts of extreme heat.

(2) “Emergency shelter” means a temporary or provisional safe space that provides a basic shelter for people affected by disaster.

(3) “Pet” means a domesticated animal, such as a dog or cat, that is commonly kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes.

(4) “Warming center” means a facility established to mitigate the public health impacts of extreme cold.

(b) (1) Upon the next update of a city or county’s emergency plan:

(A) A county shall update its emergency plan to designate emergency shelters able to accommodate persons with pets.

(B) A city that has previously adopted an emergency plan designating emergency shelters shall update its emergency plan to designate emergency shelters able to accommodate persons with pets.

(C) Whenever a city or county designates any number of emergency shelters, it shall designate at least one emergency shelter that can accommodate persons with pets.

(D) Whenever a city or county designates any number of emergency cooling centers, it shall, to the extent practicable, designate at least one cooling center that can accommodate persons with pets.

(E) Whenever a city or county designates any number of emergency warming centers, it shall, to the extent practicable, designate at least one warming center that can accommodate persons with pets.

(2) An emergency shelter designated as able to accommodate persons with pets shall be in compliance with both of the following:

(A) Safety procedures regarding the sheltering of pets referenced or established in the component of the state and local emergency plan.

(B) Applicable disaster assistance policies and procedures of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

(c) Whenever a city or county provides public information regarding the availability of a cooling center or warming center, that information shall include whether the cooling or warming center can accommodate pets.

(d) A city or county shall make available to the public by posting on its internet website information for pet emergency preparedness, including, but not limited to:

(1) Information for creating an evacuation plan and emergency checklist for pets consistent with recommendations publicly published by the Department of Food and Agriculture and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

(2) Local organizations that may provide emergency pet assistance.

(3) Local emergency shelters, cooling centers, or warming centers, when active, that can accommodate persons with pets.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 14, Sec. 1. (AB 2232) Effective January 1, 2025.)


kind: section

code: GOV

text:
(a) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Evacuation order” means an order from the Governor, or a county emergency management official, county sheriff, chief of police, or fire marshal, under which persons subject to the order are required to relocate outside of the geographic area covered by the order due to an imminent danger resulting from a state or local emergency.

(2) “Pet” means an animal, including a dog, cat, rabbit, rodent, reptile, amphibian, fish, bird, or other species of animal, kept for the purpose of being a household pet.

(b) Upon the next update of a city’s or county’s emergency plan:

(1) (A) (i) A city or county shall update its emergency plan to designate procedures for the rescue of a pet from an area subject to an evacuation order, subject to approval by the incident commander in coordination with the emergency management authority, that at the time of the evacuation the pet’s owner believed to be alive.

(ii) The procedures shall establish timelines or conditions in which rescues can occur as safely as possible.

(B) A city or county may require a person with a residence in an area subject to an evacuation order or their designated representative to sign a liability waiver releasing the city or county from any liabilities or claims related to the person’s return to the residence in accordance with the procedures required by subparagraph (A).

(C) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to grant any person the absolute right to reenter an evacuation zone. All reentry shall be subject to incident conditions and approval by the designated incident commander in coordination with the emergency management authority.

(2) A city or county shall update its emergency plan to designate a person or entity for a person with a residence in an area subject to an evacuation order or their designated representative to call if the person is in need of information regarding evacuating pets during an evacuation.

(c) A city or county shall make available to the public by posting on its internet website information, including, but not limited to:

(1) Contact information for the person or entity designated to provide information regarding evacuating pets during an evacuation in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b).

(2) Resources for persons who need assistance reuniting with pets rescued from areas subject to evacuation orders, including a list of animals rescued from the evacuated areas that is linked on the home page of the city’s or county’s internet website.

(3) Multimodal methods of providing information regarding pet rescues and resources specified in paragraph (2).

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 695, Sec. 2. (AB 478) Effective January 1, 2026.)

division: 1. GENERAL

chapter: 7. California Emergency Services Act

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 6.5. Accessibility to Emergency Information and Services


text:
(a) (1) A county, including a city and county, shall, in advance of the next update to its emergency plan, use the plan developed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 107250 of the Health and Safety Code and develop a county-specific plan that addresses all of the recommendations and guidelines of the plan developed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 107250 of the Health and Safety Code.

(2) A county, including a city and county, shall also assign a role, department, or agency to serve as a lead with regard to each recommendation and guideline in the event of significantly poor air quality caused by wildfires or other sources. If a county, including a city and county, has an existing hierarchy to assign responsibilities in the event of significantly poor air quality caused by wildfires or other sources, the county may incorporate its existing process into its county-specific plan to fulfill this requirement.

(b) A county, including a city and county, shall, in advance of the next update to its emergency plan, establish criteria, locations, and measurements of effectiveness for public respite facilities during poor air quality and other weather-related events.

(c) A county-specific plan developed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall incorporate a plan to identify personnel to rapidly deploy aid and expertise to disaster areas, and a plan for public outreach to promptly and effectively inform the public about the health threat and what the public should do in response.

(d) A county-specific plan developed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall incorporate a process to provide emergency provisions of respiratory protection, air purifiers, medications, and oxygen for people with respiratory and pulmonary diseases, and people suffering symptoms of respiratory and pulmonary diseases. If a county, including a city and county, has an existing process to acquire and distribute emergency provisions, the county may incorporate its existing process into its county-specific plan to fulfill this requirement.

(e) A county-specific plan developed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall incorporate a process to conduct outreach and communicate to the public and with key stakeholders about the plan, what it includes, how it will be implemented, and steps stakeholders and other members of the public need to take to be prepared in the event of an air quality event caused by wildfires or other sources.

(f) Two or more counties may establish a multicounty agreement to develop and implement a regional multicounty plan in lieu of each individual county implementing its own plan. A multicounty plan shall be approved by each of the counties’ boards of supervisors.

(g) After a county-specific plan or a regional multicounty plan is approved by the county’s board of supervisors, a copy of the plan shall be distributed to all of the following:

(1) The chief executive, who may be a city manager or a mayor of each city within the county, and to the county executive of the respective county, including a city and county.

(2) The director of the county’s department of public health, and the director of the department of public health for any city in their county that has its own public health department.

(3) The State Public Health Officer.

(4) The Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 537, Sec. 1. (AB 1003) Effective January 1, 2026.)

title: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

article: 6.5. Accessibility to Emergency Information and Services


citation: GOV § 8594

text:
(a) If a law enforcement agency receives a report that an abduction has occurred or that a child has been taken by anyone, including, but not limited to, a custodial parent or guardian, and the agency determines that a child 17 years of age or younger, or an individual with a proven mental or physical disability, has been abducted or taken and the victim is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death, and there is information available that, if disseminated to the general public, could assist in the safe recovery of the victim, the agency, through a person authorized to activate the Emergency Alert System, shall, absent extenuating investigative needs, request activation of the Emergency Alert System within the appropriate local area. A law enforcement agency shall only request activation of the Emergency Alert System pursuant to this subdivision if these requirements are met. The Emergency Alert System is not intended to be used for abductions resulting from custody disputes that are not reasonably believed to endanger the life or physical health of a child.

The California Highway Patrol, if requested by a law enforcement agency, shall activate the system.

(b) The California Highway Patrol, in consultation with the Department of Justice, as well as a representative from the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the California Police Chiefs’ Association, and the California Peace Officers’ Association, shall develop policies and procedures providing instruction specifying how a law enforcement agency, broadcaster participating in the Emergency Alert System, and any other intermediate emergency agency that may institute activation of the Emergency Alert System, and, where appropriate, other supplemental warning systems, shall proceed after a qualifying event described in subdivision (a) has been reported to a law enforcement agency. Those policies and procedures shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Procedures for transfer of information regarding the victim and the qualifying event from the law enforcement agency to the broadcasters.

(2) Specification of the event code or codes that should be used if the Emergency Alert System is activated to report a qualifying event.

(3) Recommended language for an emergency alert issued pursuant to this section.

(4) Specification of information that shall be included by the reporting law enforcement agency, including which agency a person with information relating to the qualifying event should contact and how the person should contact the agency.

(5) Recommendations on the extent of the geographical area to which an emergency alert issued pursuant to this section should be broadcast.

(c) The California Highway Patrol, in consultation with the Department of Justice, shall review the Amber Plan as adopted by other states and Orange County’s Child Abduction Regional Emergency Alert Program for guidance in developing appropriate policies and procedures for use of the Emergency Alert System and, where appropriate, other supplemental warning systems to report qualifying events.

(d) The California Highway Patrol, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, shall develop a comprehensive child abduction education plan to educate children in the state on the appropriate behavior to deter abduction. The California Highway Patrol shall convene a group consisting of a representative from the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the California Police Chiefs’ Association, and the California Peace Officers’ Association, representatives of advocacy groups, and the Department of Education to assist in the development of a plan.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 328, Sec. 1. (AB 535) Effective January 1, 2014.)


text:
(a) For purposes of this section, “blue alert” means a quick response system designed to issue and coordinate alerts following an attack upon a law enforcement officer as described in subdivision (b).

(b) In addition to the circumstances described in Section 8594, upon the request of an authorized person at a law enforcement agency that is investigating an offense described in paragraph (1), the California Highway Patrol shall activate the Emergency Alert System and issue a blue alert if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) A law enforcement officer has been killed, suffers serious bodily injury, or is assaulted with a deadly weapon, and the suspect has fled the scene of the offense.

(2) A law enforcement agency investigating the offense has determined that the suspect poses an imminent threat to the public or other law enforcement personnel.

(3) A detailed description of the suspect’s vehicle or license plate is available for broadcast.

(4) Public dissemination of available information may help avert further harm or accelerate apprehension of the suspect.

(5) The California Highway Patrol has been designated to use the federally authorized Emergency Alert System for the issuance of blue alerts.

(c) The blue alert system incorporates a variety of notification resources and developing technologies that may be tailored to the circumstances and geography of the underlying attack. The blue alert system shall utilize the state-controlled Emergency Digital Information System, local digital signs, focused text, or other technologies, as appropriate, in addition to the federal Emergency Alert System, if authorized and under conditions permitted by the federal government.

(d) On or before December 31, 2011, the California Highway Patrol shall augment the department’s public Internet Web site to include a blue alert link that describes the “blue alert” process, objectives, and available quick responses. The Internet Web site shall explain that the term blue alert will communicate that a law enforcement officer has been attacked or killed and that the scope of an alert will be tailored to the circumstances of the offense and available technologies.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 311, Sec. 1. (SB 839) Effective January 1, 2011.)


text:
(a) For purposes of this section, “Silver Alert” means a notification system, activated pursuant to subdivision (b), designed to issue and coordinate alerts with respect to a person who is 65 years of age or older, developmentally disabled, or cognitively impaired, and who is reported missing.

(b) (1) If a person is reported missing to a law enforcement agency and that agency determines that the requirements of subdivision (c) are met, the agency may request the Department of the California Highway Patrol to activate a Silver Alert. If the Department of the California Highway Patrol concurs that the requirements of subdivision (c) are met, it shall activate a Silver Alert within the geographical area requested by the investigating law enforcement agency.

(2) Radio, television, and cable and satellite systems are encouraged to, but not required to, cooperate with disseminating the information contained in a Silver Alert.

(3) Upon activation of a Silver Alert, the Department of the California Highway Patrol shall assist the investigating law enforcement agency by issuing a be-on-the-lookout alert, an Emergency Digital Information Service message, an electronic flyer, or a changeable message sign in compliance with paragraph (4).

(4) Upon activation of a Silver Alert, the Department of the California Highway Patrol may use a changeable message sign if both of the following conditions are met:

(A) A law enforcement agency determines that a vehicle may be involved in the missing person incident.

(B) Specific vehicle identification is available for public dissemination.

(c) A law enforcement agency may request a Silver Alert be activated if that agency determines that all of the following conditions are met in regard to the investigation of the missing person:

(1) The missing person is 65 years of age or older, developmentally disabled, or cognitively impaired.

(2) The investigating law enforcement agency has utilized all available local resources.

(3) The law enforcement agency determines that the person has gone missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances.

(4) The law enforcement agency believes that the person is in danger because of age, health, mental or physical disability, or environment or weather conditions, that the person is in the company of a potentially dangerous person, or that there are other factors indicating that the person may be in peril.

(5) There is information available that, if disseminated to the public, could assist in the safe recovery of the missing person.

(d) For purposes of this section, the following definitions have the following meanings:

(1) “Developmentally disabled” means affected by a developmental disability, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 4512 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(2) “Cognitively impaired” means affected by a cognitive impairment, as defined in Section 14522.4 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 332, Sec. 1. (AB 643) Effective January 1, 2016.)


text:
(a) For purposes of this section, “Endangered Missing Advisory” means a notification system, activated pursuant to subdivision (b), designed to issue and coordinate alerts with respect to a person who is at risk, developmentally disabled, or cognitively impaired, or who has been abducted.

(b) (1) If a person is reported missing to a law enforcement agency and that agency determines that the requirements of subdivision (c) are met, the agency may request the Department of the California Highway Patrol to activate an Endangered Missing Advisory. If the Department of the California Highway Patrol concurs that the requirements of subdivision (c) are met, the Department of the California Highway Patrol may activate an Endangered Missing Advisory within the appropriate geographical area.

(2) Radio, television, cable, satellite, and social media systems are encouraged to, but not required to, cooperate with disseminating the information contained in an Endangered Missing Advisory.

(3) Upon activation of an Endangered Missing Advisory, the Department of the California Highway Patrol may assist the investigating law enforcement agency by disseminating an electronic flyer or activating changeable message signs in compliance with paragraph (4).

(4) Upon activation of an Endangered Missing Advisory, the Department of the California Highway Patrol may use a changeable message sign if both of the following conditions are met:

(A) A law enforcement agency determines that a vehicle may be involved in the missing person incident.

(B) Specific identifying information about the vehicle is available for public dissemination.

(c) A law enforcement agency may request an Endangered Missing Advisory be activated if that agency determines that all of the following conditions are met regarding the investigation of the missing person:

(1) The missing person is developmentally disabled, cognitively impaired, has been abducted, or is unable to otherwise care for themselves, placing their physical safety at risk.

(2) The investigating law enforcement agency has utilized all available local resources.

(3) The law enforcement agency determines that the person has gone missing under unexplainable or suspicious circumstances.

(4) The law enforcement agency believes that the person is in danger because of age, health, mental or physical disability, or environment or weather conditions, that the person is in the company of a potentially dangerous person, or that there are other factors indicating that the person may be in peril.

(5) There is information available that, if disseminated to the public, could assist in the safe recovery of the missing person.

(d) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Cognitively impaired” means affected by a cognitive impairment, as defined in Section 14522.4 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(2) “Developmentally disabled” means affected by a developmental disability, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 4512 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 80, Sec. 59. (SB 1525) Effective January 1, 2025.)


text:
(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms apply:

(1) “Feather Alert” means a notification system, activated pursuant to subdivision (d), designed to issue and coordinate alerts with respect to endangered indigenous people, specifically indigenous women or indigenous people, who are reported missing.

(2) “Law enforcement agency” means a state, local, or tribal law enforcement agency or police department.

(3) “Tribe” or “Tribe of California” means a Native American tribe located in California that is on the contact list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission for the purposes of Chapter 905 of the Statutes of 2004 and Chapter 532 of the Statutes of 2014.

(b) The Department of the California Highway Patrol, in consultation with tribal nations, the Department of Justice, as well as a representative from the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, and the California Peace Officers’ Association, shall develop policies and procedures providing instruction specifying how a law enforcement agency, a broadcaster participating in the Emergency Alert System, and any other intermediate emergency agency that may institute activation of the Feather Alert, and, where appropriate, other supplemental warning systems, shall proceed after a missing person has been reported to a law enforcement agency and the conditions described in subdivision (e) are met. Those policies and procedures shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Procedures for the transfer of information regarding the missing person and the circumstances surrounding the missing person’s disappearance from the law enforcement agency to the broadcasters.

(2) Specification of the event code or codes that should be used if the Feather Alert is activated to report a missing person.

(3) Recommended language for a Feather Alert issued pursuant to this section.

(4) Specification of information that shall be included by the reporting law enforcement agency, including which agency a person with information relating to the missing person should contact and how the person should contact the agency.

(5) Recommendations on the extent of the geographical area to which a Feather Alert issued pursuant to this section should be broadcast.

(c) (1) A law enforcement agency or Tribe of California may directly request the Department of the California Highway Patrol to activate a Feather Alert consistent with the requirements of paragraph (2).

(2) (A) If a person is reported missing to a law enforcement agency and that agency determines that the requirements of subdivision (e) are met, the law enforcement agency or Tribe of California may request the Department of the California Highway Patrol to activate a Feather Alert.

(B) (i) For purposes of this subdivision, a law enforcement agency shall make a determination that the requirements of subdivision (e) are met within 24 hours, following the initial report being made to the agency.

(ii) If the law enforcement agency does not make a determination within 24 hours as required by clause (i), then the Tribe of California may directly request the Department of the California Highway Patrol to activate a Feather Alert.

(d) If the Department of the California Highway Patrol concurs that the requirements of subdivision (e) have been met, it shall activate a Feather Alert within the appropriate geographical area requested by the investigating law enforcement agency.

(1) (A) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall respond to a law enforcement agency’s or tribe’s request to activate a Feather Alert within 48 hours of receiving the request.

(B) The department shall take reasonable steps to confirm that a report from a missing person’s family members is not an attempt to locate an indigenous woman or indigenous person who is intentionally avoiding or evading abuse in any of the following forms:

(i) Sexual assault.

(ii) Sexual harassment.

(iii) Domestic violence.

(iv) Intimate partner violence.

(2) If the Department of the California Highway Patrol declines to activate a Feather Alert, it shall provide written notice to the requesting law enforcement agency or tribe of the reasons for declining the request within 48 hours of issuing its decision.

(3) Radio, television, cable, satellite, and social media systems are encouraged to, but not required to, cooperate with disseminating the information contained in a Feather Alert.

(4) Upon activation of a Feather Alert, the Department of the California Highway Patrol shall make all reasonable efforts to locate the missing person and to assist each investigating law enforcement agency and tribe in their efforts to locate the missing person by issuing a be-on-the-lookout alert, an electronic flyer, a social media post, or changeable message signs in compliance with paragraph (5).

(5) Upon activation of a Feather Alert, the Department of the California Highway Patrol may use a changeable message sign if both of the following conditions are met:

(A) A law enforcement agency determines that a vehicle may be involved in the missing person incident.

(B) Specific identifying information about the vehicle is available for public dissemination.

(e) A law enforcement agency may request that a Feather Alert be activated if that agency determines a Feather Alert would be an effective tool in the investigation of missing and murdered indigenous persons, including young women or girls. The law enforcement agency shall consider the following factors to make that determination:

(1) The missing person is an indigenous woman or an indigenous person.

(2) The investigating law enforcement agency has utilized available local and tribal resources.

(3) The law enforcement agency determines that the person is missing.

(4) The law enforcement agency or tribe believes that the person is in danger and is missing under circumstances that indicate any of the following:

(A) The missing person’s physical safety may be endangered.

(B) The missing person may be subject to trafficking.

(C) The missing person suffers from a mental or physical disability, or a substance use disorder.

(5) There is information available that, if disseminated to the public, could assist in the safe recovery of the missing person.

(f) (1) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall work with law enforcement agencies and tribal nations to create and submit a report to the Governor’s office and the Legislature. The report shall include the following information:

(A) The efficacy and advantages of the Feather Alert, including, but not limited to, statistical data on the number of cases closed and the number of cases that remain open.

(B) The impact of the Feather Alert on other alert programs.

(2) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall submit the report in paragraph (1) to the Legislature in compliance with Section 9795 no later than January 1, 2027.

(3) The requirement for submitting a report imposed under this subdivision is inoperative on January 1, 2031, pursuant to Section 10231.5.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 661, Sec. 1. (AB 2348) Effective January 1, 2025.)


text:
(a) For purposes of this section, “Ebony Alert” means a notification system, activated pursuant to subdivision (b), designed to issue and coordinate alerts with respect to Black youth, including young Black women and girls, who are reported missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances, at risk, developmentally disabled, or cognitively impaired, or who have been abducted.

(b) (1) If a person is reported missing to a law enforcement agency and that agency determines that the requirements of subdivision (c) are met, the law enforcement agency may request the Department of the California Highway Patrol to activate an Ebony Alert. If the Department of the California Highway Patrol concurs that the requirements of subdivision (c) have been met, it shall activate an Ebony Alert within the appropriate geographical area requested by the investigating law enforcement agency.

(2) Radio, television, cable, satellite, and social media systems are encouraged to, but not required to, cooperate with disseminating the information contained in an Ebony Alert.

(3) Upon activation of an Ebony Alert, the Department of the California Highway Patrol shall assist the investigating law enforcement agency by issuing a be-on-the-lookout alert, an electronic flyer, or changeable message signs in compliance with paragraph (4).

(4) Upon activation of an Ebony Alert, the Department of the California Highway Patrol may use a changeable message sign if both of the following conditions are met:

(A) A law enforcement agency determines that a vehicle may be involved in the missing person incident.

(B) Specific identifying information about the vehicle is available for public dissemination.

(c) A law enforcement agency may request that an Ebony Alert be activated if that agency determines that there is information available that, if disseminated to the public, could assist in the safe recovery of the missing person, and the following conditions are met regarding the investigation of the missing person:

(1) The missing person is between 12 to 25 years of age, inclusive.

(2) The investigating law enforcement agency has used all available local resources and at least one of the following conditions are met:

(A) The law enforcement agency determines that the person has gone missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances, including circumstances that indicate any of the following:

(i) The missing person’s physical safety may be endangered.

(ii) The missing person may be subject to trafficking.

(B) The law enforcement agency believes that the person is in danger because of age, health, mental or physical disability, environmental or weather conditions, that the person is in the company of a potentially dangerous person, or that there are other factors indicating that the person may be in peril.

(d) Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) shall be broadly construed in order to effectuate the legislative intent of this section.

(e) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall create and submit a report to the Governor’s office and the Legislature that includes an evaluation of the Ebony Alert, including the efficacy, the advantages, and the impact to other alert programs. The department shall submit the report to the Legislature in compliance with Section 9795 on or before July 1, 2027.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 53, Sec. 1. (AB 173) Effective July 2, 2024.)


text:
(a) Translating emergency notifications into the most commonly spoken language other than English is a critically important governmental activity. In order for residents impacted by an emergency to be made aware of the emergency, it is critical that emergency notifications to the public be translated either into the most commonly spoken language other than English in the impacted county or counties, or, at the option of a county, into one or more commonly spoken languages other than English in the county based on an individualized language assessment of that county.

(b) The Office of Emergency Services shall create a library of translated emergency notifications that may be used by designated alerting authorities when issuing emergency notifications. The office shall consider the two most commonly spoken languages other than English in the state when creating the library.

(c) The Office of Emergency Services shall create a translation style guide that includes a glossary of translated standard abbreviations used in emergency notifications.

(d) Designated alerting authorities shall consider using the library and translation style guide developed pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c) when issuing emergency notifications to the public.

(e) Designated alerting authorities may use a hyperlink to the translated emergency notification in a message disseminated through a wireless emergency alert for purposes of issuing a translated alert.

(f) Six months after the Office of Emergency Services launches the library and translation style guide pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c), the office may impose conditions upon a city’s, county’s, or city and county’s application for any voluntary grant funds that have a nexus to emergency management performance that the office administers by requiring the designated alerting authority within a city, county, or city and county to translate emergency notifications.

(g) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Designated alerting authority” means a federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial jurisdiction that is authorized to alert the public of emergency situations through federal, state, and local laws.

(2) “Emergency notification” means any message authored by a designated alerting authority intended to alert or warn the public of an imminent threat to life safety or property damage, and that is disseminated through designated alert and warning systems such as the Emergency Alert System or the federal Wireless Emergency Alerts system.

(h) This section does not delay or prohibit a designated alerting authority from issuing an emergency notification in a timely manner.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 497, Sec. 134. (AB 991) Effective January 1, 2020.)


citation: GOV § 8595

text: The Governor may assign to a state agency any activity concerned with the mitigation of the effects of an emergency of a nature related to the existing powers and duties of such agency, including interstate activities, and it shall thereupon become the duty of such agency to undertake and carry out such activity on behalf of the state.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1970, Ch. 1454.)

article: 7. Other State Agencies

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 7. Other State Agencies


citation: GOV § 8596

text:
(a) Each department, division, bureau, board, commission, officer, and employee of this state shall render all possible assistance to the Governor and to the Director of Emergency Services in carrying out this chapter.

(b) In providing that assistance, state agencies shall cooperate to the fullest possible extent with each other and with political subdivisions, relief agencies, and the American National Red Cross, but nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to limit or in any way affect the responsibilities of the American National Red Cross under the federal act approved January 5, 1905 (33 Stat. 599), as amended.

(c) Entities providing disaster-related services and assistance shall strive to ensure that all victims receive the assistance that they need and for which they are eligible. Public employees shall assist evacuees and other individuals in securing disaster-related assistance and services without eliciting any information or document that is not strictly necessary to determine eligibility under state and federal laws. Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent public employees from taking reasonable steps to protect the health or safety of evacuees and other individuals during an emergency.

(d) State personnel, equipment, and facilities may be used to clear and dispose of debris on private property only after the Governor finds: (1) that the use is for a state purpose; (2) that the use is in the public interest, serving the general welfare of the state; and (3) that the personnel, equipment, and facilities are already in the emergency area.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 164. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

article: 7. Other State Agencies


citation: GOV § 8597

text:
Whenever a state of emergency is proclaimed to exist within any region or area, or whenever a state of war emergency exists, the following classes of state employees who are within the region or area proclaimed or who may be assigned to duty therein shall be peace officers and shall have the full powers and duties of those officers for all purposes as provided by Section 830.1 of the Penal Code, and shall perform those duties and exercise any powers which are appropriate or which may be directed by their superior officers:

(a) All peace officers of the Department of the California Highway Patrol.

(b) All deputies of the Department of Fish and Game who have been appointed to enforce the provisions of the Fish and Game Code pursuant to Section 851 of that code.

(c) The Director of Forestry and Fire Protection and the classes of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection who are designated by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection as having the powers of peace officers pursuant to Section 4156 of the Public Resources Code.

(d) Peace officers who are state employees within the provisions of Section 830.5 of the Penal Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 305, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1997.)

article: 7. Other State Agencies


citation: GOV § 8598

text: Whenever a local emergency exists within a region or area of the state and the Department of the California Highway Patrol or the Department of Corrections or the Department of the Youth Authority employing any peace officer within Section 830.5 of the Penal Code is requested by properly constituted local authorities to assist local law enforcement, the officers assigned to assist within the designated regions or areas shall have the full powers of peace officers within the meaning of Section 830.1 of the Penal Code and shall perform those duties and exercise those powers as are appropriate or as may be directed by their superior officers.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 305, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 1997.)

article: 7. Other State Agencies


citation: GOV § 8599

text: The Office of Emergency Services shall develop a plan for state and local governmental agencies to utilize volunteer resources during a state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor. The office shall consult with appropriate state and local governmental agencies and volunteer organizations in the development of this plan.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 165. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 7.5. Statewide Natural Disaster Volunteer Corps Program


text:
The plan required by Section 8599 shall address, at a minimum, all of the following issues:

(a) A formal system for the utilization of volunteer resources by state and local governmental agencies during a proclaimed state of emergency.

(b) A definition of volunteer resources.

(c) The identification and listing of volunteer resources in California.

(d) An education program for volunteer resources on the needs and use of volunteers by state and local governmental agencies during a proclaimed state of emergency.

(e) An education program for state and local governmental agencies on the availability and utilization of volunteer resources during a proclaimed state of emergency.

(f) The coordination of volunteer resources during a proclaimed state of emergency.

(g) Definition and identification of volunteer skills and resources typically required by state and local governmental agencies during a proclaimed state of emergency.

(h) A volunteer resources emergency management system for responding to needs of state and local governmental agencies during a proclaimed state of emergency.

(i) A notification procedure of volunteer resources for participation in the plan.

(j) Communication needs of volunteer resources responding during a proclaimed state of emergency.

(k) Predisaster agreements for utilization of volunteer resources by state and local governments during a proclaimed state of emergency.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 536, Sec. 1.)

article: 7.5. Statewide Natural Disaster Volunteer Corps Program


citation: GOV § 8600

text:
(a) The Governor with the advice of the Office of Emergency Services is hereby authorized and empowered to divide the state into mutual aid regions for the more effective application, administration, and coordination of mutual aid and other emergency-related activities.

(b) The Office of Emergency Services shall coordinate response and recovery operations in each of the mutual aid regions.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 25, Sec. 8. (SB 84) Effective June 24, 2015.)

article: 8. Mutual Aid Regions

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 8. Mutual Aid Regions


citation: GOV § 8605

text:
Each county is designated as an operational area. In a state of war emergency each operational area shall serve as a link in the system of communications and coordination between the state’s emergency operating centers and the operating centers of the political subdivisions comprising the operational area.

The governing bodies of each county and of the political subdivisions in the county may organize and structure their operational area.

An operational area may be used by the county and the political subdivisions comprising the operational area for the coordination of emergency activities and to serve as a link in the communications system during a state of emergency or a local emergency.

article: 9. Operational Areas

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 9. Operational Areas


citation: GOV § 8607

text:
(a) The Office of Emergency Services, in coordination with all interested state agencies with designated response roles in the state emergency plan and interested local emergency management agencies, shall jointly establish by regulation a standardized emergency management system for use by all emergency response agencies. The public water systems identified in Section 8607.2 may review and comment on these regulations before adoption. This system shall be applicable, but not limited to, those emergencies or disasters referenced in the state emergency plan. The standardized emergency management system shall include all of the following systems as a framework for responding to and managing emergencies and disasters involving multiple jurisdictions or multiple agency responses:

(1) The Incident Command Systems adapted from the systems originally developed by the FIRESCOPE Program, including those currently in use by state agencies.

(2) The multiagency coordination system as developed by the FIRESCOPE Program.

(3) The mutual aid agreement, as defined in Section 8561, and related mutual aid systems such as those used in law enforcement, fire service, and coroners operations.

(4) The operational area concept, as defined in Section 8559.

(b) Individual agencies’ roles and responsibilities agreed upon and contained in existing laws or the state emergency plan are not superseded by this article.

(c) The Office of Emergency Services, in coordination with the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, the Emergency Medical Services Authority, and all other interested state agencies with designated response roles in the state emergency plan, shall jointly develop an approved course of instruction for use in training all emergency response personnel, consisting of the concepts and procedures associated with the standardized emergency management system described in subdivision (a).

(d) All state agencies shall use the standardized emergency management system as adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) to coordinate multiple jurisdiction or multiple agency emergency and disaster operations.

(e) (1) Each local agency, in order to be eligible for any funding of response-related costs under disaster assistance programs, shall use the standardized emergency management system as adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) to coordinate multiple jurisdiction or multiple agency operations.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), local agencies shall be eligible for repair, renovation, or any other nonpersonnel costs resulting from an emergency.

(f) Within 180 days after each declared disaster, the Office of Emergency Services shall, in cooperation with involved state and local agencies, complete an after-action report that includes a review of the public safety response and disaster recovery activities and conclusions and recommendations based on findings. The office shall make the report available to all interested public safety and emergency management organizations.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 28, Sec. 58. (SB 1380) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 9.5. Disaster Preparedness

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 9.5. Disaster Preparedness


text:
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that a statewide system for fire hydrants be adopted so that all firefighters can respond to emergencies calling for the use of water at any location in the state. Without this statewide standardized system, the lives of firefighters and those they serve would be put in serious jeopardy in a mutual aid fire response effort stretching across city and county boundaries.

(b) By January 1, 1994, the State Fire Marshal shall establish a statewide uniform color coding of fire hydrants. In determining the color coding of fire hydrants, the State Fire Marshal shall consider the national system of coding developed by the National Fire Protection Association as Standard 291 in Chapter 2 on Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants. The uniform color coding shall not preempt local agencies from adding additional markings.

(c) Compliance with the uniform color coding requirements of subdivision (b) shall be undertaken by each agency that currently maintains fire hydrants throughout the state as part of its ongoing maintenance program for its fire hydrants. Alternatively, an agency may comply with the uniform color coding requirements by installing one or more reflector buttons in a mid-street location directly adjacent to the fire hydrant in the appropriate color that would otherwise be required for the hydrant and a curb marking as near to the hydrant as practicable in that same color.

(d) By July 1, 1994, the State Fire Marshal shall develop and adopt regulations establishing statewide uniform fire hydrant coupling sizes. The regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall include provisions that permit the use of an adapter mounted on the hydrant as a means of achieving uniformity. In determining uniform fire hydrant coupling sizes, the State Fire Marshal shall consider any system developed by the National Fire Protection Association, the National Fire Academy, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

(e) By December 1, 1996, each local agency, city, county, city and county, or special district in order to be eligible for any funding of mutual aid fire response related costs under disaster assistance programs, shall comply with regulations adopted pursuant to this section. Compliance may be met if at least one coupling on the hydrant is of the uniform size.

(f) Subdivision (d) shall not be applicable to the City and County of San Francisco due to the existing water system.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 93, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1999.)

article: 9.5. Disaster Preparedness


text:
(a) All public water systems, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code, with 10,000 or more service connections shall review and revise their disaster preparedness plans in conjunction with related agencies, including, but not limited to, local fire departments and the Office of Emergency Services to ensure that the plans are sufficient to address possible disaster scenarios. These plans should examine and review pumping station and distribution facility operations during an emergency, water pressure at both pumping stations and hydrants, and whether there is sufficient water reserve levels and alternative emergency power, including, but not limited to, onsite backup generators and portable generators.

(b) All public water systems, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code, with 10,000 or more service connections following a declared state of emergency shall furnish an assessment of their emergency response and recommendations to the Legislature within six months after each disaster, as well as implementing the recommendations in a timely manner.

(c) The Office of Emergency Services shall establish appropriate and insofar as practical, emergency response and recovery plans, including mutual aid plans, in coordination with public water systems, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code, with 10,000 or more service connections.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 168. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

article: 9.5. Disaster Preparedness


citation: GOV § 8608

text: The Office of Emergency Services shall approve and adopt, and incorporate the California Animal Response Emergency System (CARES) program developed under the oversight of the Department of Food and Agriculture into the standardized emergency management system established pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 8607.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 169. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

article: 9.5. Disaster Preparedness


text: A city or county that requires a kennel license or permit to operate a kennel within its jurisdiction shall require, as a condition for obtaining the license or permit, that the kennel owner create and submit to the city or county an animal natural disaster evacuation plan for any kennel covered by the license or permit.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 547, Sec. 1. (AB 1648) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 9.5. Disaster Preparedness


citation: GOV § 8609

text: State agencies granted authority by the Governor, the Business Continuity Task Force, the Emergency Preparedness Task Force, or the Executive Committee established by Executive Order D-3-99 to implement any type of disaster, contingency, or business continuity plan may use volunteer workers. The volunteers shall be deemed disaster service workers for the purpose of workers’ compensation under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 3600) of Part 1 of Division 4 of the Labor Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 784, Sec. 15. Effective October 10, 1999.)

article: 9.8. Disaster Preparedness

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 9.8. Disaster Preparedness


text: Any disaster preparedness or response official may be specifically identified by name and title in any disaster, contingency, or business continuity plan developed pursuant to Executive Order D-3-99 if such a plan incorporates aspects of any contingency plan previously developed regarding potential oil spills or toxic disasters pursuant to Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 8574.1) and Article 3.7 (commencing with Section 8574.16).

article: 9.8. Disaster Preparedness


citation: GOV § 8610

text:
(a) Counties, cities and counties, and cities may create disaster councils by ordinance. A disaster council shall develop plans for meeting any condition constituting a local emergency or state of emergency, including, but not limited to, earthquakes, natural or manmade disasters specific to that jurisdiction, or state of war emergency; those plans shall provide for the effective mobilization of all of the resources within the political subdivision, both public and private. The disaster council shall supply a copy of any plans developed pursuant to this section to the Office of Emergency Services. The governing body of a county, city and county, or city may, in the ordinance or by resolution adopted pursuant to the ordinance, provide for the organization, powers and duties, divisions, services, and staff of the emergency organization. The governing body of a county, city and county, or city may, by ordinance or resolution, authorize public officers, employees, and registered volunteers to command the aid of citizens when necessary in the execution of their duties during a state of war emergency, a state of emergency, or a local emergency.

(b) Counties, cities and counties, and cities may enact ordinances and resolutions and either establish rules and regulations or authorize disaster councils to recommend to the director of the local emergency organization rules and regulations for dealing with local emergencies that can be adequately dealt with locally; and further may act to carry out mutual aid on a voluntary basis and, to this end, may enter into agreements.

(c) (1) The Office of Emergency Services shall annually review, at a minimum, 10 emergency plans submitted to the office.

(2) The Office of Emergency Services shall determine if a plan reviewed pursuant to this subdivision substantially conforms to or exceeds the recommendations described in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101, or other successor emergency operations planning guidance.

(3) The Office of Emergency Services shall prioritize, in complying with paragraph (1), a plan submitted from a county determined to be at high risk of wildfire disaster.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 254, Sec. 1. (AB 2386) Effective January 1, 2021.)

article: 10. Local Disaster Councils

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 10. Local Disaster Councils


text:
The Legislature hereby finds and declares as follows:

(a) The Office of Emergency Services, in consultation with the State Department of Health Care Services and affected counties, investigated the consequences of a serious nuclear powerplant accident for each of the nuclear powerplants in California with a generating capacity of 50 megawatts or more.

(b) This study culminated in the establishment of emergency planning zones for nuclear powerplant emergency preparedness.

(c) All state and local government nuclear powerplant emergency response plans have been revised to reflect the information provided in the study.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 171. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

article: 10. Local Disaster Councils


text:
(a) For purposes of this section:

(1) “Office” means the Office of Emergency Services.

(2) “Previous fiscal year” means the fiscal year immediately before the current fiscal year.

(3) “Utility” means an “electrical corporation” as defined in Section 218 of the Public Utilities Code.

(b) (1) State and local costs to carry out activities pursuant to this section and Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 114650) of Part 9 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code that are not reimbursed by federal funds shall be borne by a utility operating a nuclear powerplant with a generating capacity of 50 megawatts or more.

(2) The Public Utilities Commission shall develop and transmit to the office an equitable method of assessing a utility operating a powerplant for its reasonable share of state agency costs specified in paragraph (1).

(3) Each local government involved shall submit a statement of its costs specified in paragraph (1), as required, to the office.

(4) Upon notification by the office, from time to time, of the amount of its share of the actual or anticipated state and local agency costs, a utility shall pay this amount to the Controller for deposit in the Nuclear Planning Assessment Special Account, which is continued in existence, for allocation by the Controller, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to carry out activities pursuant to this section and Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 114650) of Part 9 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code. The Controller shall pay from this account the state and local costs relative to carrying out this section and Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 114650) of Part 9 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, upon certification of the costs by the office.

(5) Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the Controller may disburse up to 80 percent of a fiscal year allocation from the Nuclear Planning Assessment Special Account, in advance, for anticipated local expenses, as certified by the office pursuant to paragraph (4). The office shall review program expenditures related to the balance of funds in the account and the Controller shall pay the portion, or the entire balance, of the account, based upon those approved expenditures.

(c) (1) The total annual disbursement of state costs from a utility operating a nuclear powerplant within the state for activities pursuant to this section and Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 114650) of Part 9 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, shall not exceed the lesser of the actual costs or the maximum funding levels established in this section, subject to subdivisions (e) and (f).

(2) Of the annual amount of two million forty-seven thousand dollars ($2,047,000) for the 2009–10 fiscal year, the sum of one million ninety-four thousand dollars ($1,094,000) shall be for support of the office for activities pursuant to this section and Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 114650) of Part 9 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, and the sum of nine hundred fifty-three thousand dollars ($953,000) shall be for support of the State Department of Public Health for activities pursuant to this section and Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 114650) of Part 9 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code.

(d) (1) The total annual disbursement for each fiscal year, commencing July 1, 2009, of local costs from a utility shall not exceed the lesser of the actual costs or the maximum funding levels established in this section, in support of activities pursuant to this section and Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 114650) of Part 9 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code. The maximum annual amount available for disbursement for local costs, subject to subdivisions (e) and (f), shall, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, be one million seven hundred thirty-two thousand dollars ($1,732,000) for the Diablo Canyon site.

(2) The amounts paid by a utility under this section shall be allowed for ratemaking purposes by the Public Utilities Commission.

(e) The amounts available for disbursement for state and local costs as specified in this section shall be adjusted and compounded each fiscal year by the greater of the percentage change in the prevailing wage for County of San Luis Obispo employees, not to exceed 5 percent, or the percentage increase in the California Consumer Price Index from the previous fiscal year.

(f) Through the inoperative date specified in subdivision (h), the amounts available for disbursement for state and local costs as specified in this section shall be cumulative biennially. Any unexpended funds from a year shall be carried over for one year. The funds carried over from the previous year may be expended when the current year’s funding cap is exceeded.

(g) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2019.

(h) This section shall become inoperative 18 months after the permanent cessation of operations of both Diablo Canyon Units 1 and 2, which shall occur no later than December 31, 2030, and is repealed on the January 1 following the end of that 18-month period.

(i) When this section becomes inoperative, any amounts remaining in the special account shall be refunded to a utility contributing to it, to be credited to the utility’s ratepayers.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 239, Sec. 1. (SB 846) Effective September 2, 2022. Inoperative as prescribed by its own provisions. Repealed on January 1 following the inoperative date.)

article: 10. Local Disaster Councils


citation: GOV § 8611

text: Counties, cities and counties, and cities may provide for the calling of test exercises, either singularly or jointly, whenever, in the opinion of such political subdivisions, such test exercises are needed; provided, however, that with respect to any such test exercise no one shall have the power to command the assistance of any private citizen, and the failure of a citizen to obey any order or regulation pertaining to a test exercise shall not constitute a violation of any law.

article: 10. Local Disaster Councils


citation: GOV § 8612

text: Any disaster council that both agrees to follow the rules and regulations established by the Office of Emergency Services pursuant to Section 8585.5 and substantially complies with those rules and regulations shall be certified by the office. Upon that certification, and not before, the disaster council becomes an accredited disaster council.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 173. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

article: 10. Local Disaster Councils


citation: GOV § 8613

text: Should an accredited disaster council fail to comply with the rules and regulations of the Office of Emergency Services in any material degree, the office may revoke its certification and, upon the act of revocation, the disaster council shall lose its accredited status. It may again become an accredited disaster council in the same manner as is provided for a disaster council that has not previously been accredited.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 174. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

article: 10. Local Disaster Councils


citation: GOV § 8614

text:
(a) Each department, division, bureau, board, commission, officer, and employee of each political subdivision of the state shall render all possible assistance to the Governor and to the Director of Emergency Services in carrying out this chapter.

(b) The emergency power that may be vested in a local public official during a state of war emergency or a state of emergency shall be subject or subordinate to the powers vested in the Governor under this chapter when exercised by the Governor.

(c) Ordinances, orders, and regulations of a political subdivision shall continue in effect during a state of war emergency or a state of emergency, except as to any provision suspended or superseded by an order or regulation issued by the Governor.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 175. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

article: 10. Local Disaster Councils


citation: GOV § 8615

text: It is the purpose of the Legislature in enacting this article to facilitate the rendering of aid to areas stricken by an emergency and to make unnecessary the execution of written agreements customarily entered into by public agencies exercising joint powers. Emergency plans duly adopted and approved as provided by the Governor shall be effective as satisfying the requirement for mutual aid operational plans provided in the Master Mutual Aid Agreement.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1970, Ch. 1454.)

article: 11. Mutual Aid

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 11. Mutual Aid


citation: GOV § 8616

text:
During any state of war emergency or state of emergency when the need arises for outside aid in any county, city and county, or city, such aid shall be rendered in accordance with approved emergency plans.

It shall be the duty of public officials to cooperate to the fullest possible extent in carrying out such plans.

article: 11. Mutual Aid


citation: GOV § 8617

text: In periods other than a state of war emergency, a state of emergency, or a local emergency, state agencies and political subdivisions have authority to exercise mutual aid powers in accordance with the Master Mutual Aid Agreement and local ordinances, resolutions, agreements, or plans therefor.

article: 11. Mutual Aid


citation: GOV § 8618

text: Unless otherwise expressly provided by the parties, the responsible local official in whose jurisdiction an incident requiring mutual aid has occurred shall remain in charge at such incident, including the direction of personnel and equipment provided him through mutual aid.

article: 11. Mutual Aid


citation: GOV § 8619

text: The Governor may on behalf of this state enter into reciprocal aid agreements or compacts, mutual aid plans, or other interstate arrangements for the protection of life and property with other states and the federal government, either on a statewide basis or a political subdivision basis. Prior to committing the personnel, equipment, or facilities of any political subdivision of this state, the Governor shall consult with the chief executive or governing body of such political subdivision. Such mutual aid arrangements may include the furnishing or exchange, on such terms and conditions as are deemed necessary, of supplies, equipment, facilities, personnel, and services.

article: 11. Mutual Aid


text:
(a) The Office of Emergency Services, in consultation with relevant local and state agencies, shall develop and adopt a state fire service and rescue emergency mutual aid plan that does all of the following:

(1) Provides a systematic mobilization, organization, and operation of necessary fire, rescue, and hazardous material resources of the state in mitigating the effects of disasters.

(2) Provides comprehensive and compatible plans for the expedient mobilization and response of available fire, rescue, and hazardous materials resources on a local, area, regional, and statewide basis.

(3) Establishes guidelines for recruiting and training auxiliary personnel to augment fire, rescue, and hazardous materials personnel during disaster operations.

(4) Provides for an annually updated fire, rescue, and hazardous materials response inventory of all personnel and equipment in California.

(5) Provides for the interchange and dissemination of fire, rescue, and hazardous materials-related data, directives, and information among fire and rescue officials of local, state, and federal agencies.

(6) Promotes annual training or exercises, or both training and exercises, among plan participants.

(b) The state fire service and rescue emergency mutual aid plan shall be an annex to the State Emergency Plan.

(c) The State Emergency Plan and the state fire service and rescue mutual aid plan shall be operated pursuant to Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 8607).

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 25, Sec. 9. (SB 84) Effective June 24, 2015.)

article: 11. Mutual Aid


citation: GOV § 8620

text: During a state of war emergency the Governor shall have complete authority over all agencies of the state government and the right to exercise within the area or regions designated all police power vested in the state by the Constitution and laws of the State of California in order to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. In exercise thereof he shall promulgate, issue, and enforce such orders and regulations as he deems necessary for the protection of life and property, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8567.

article: 12. State of War Emergency

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 12. State of War Emergency


citation: GOV § 8621

text: During a state of war emergency every department, commission, agency, board, officer, and employee of the state government and of every political subdivision, county, city and county, or city, public district, and public corporation of or in the state is required to comply with the lawful orders and regulations of the Governor made or given within the limits of his authority as provided for herein. Every such officer or employee who refuses or willfully neglects to obey any such order or regulation of the Governor, or who willfully resists, delays, or obstructs the Governor in the discharge of any of his functions hereunder, is guilty of a misdemeanor. In the event that any such officer or employee shall refuse or willfully neglect to obey any such order or regulation, the Governor may by his order temporarily suspend him from the performance of any and all the rights, obligations, and duties of his office or position for the remainder of the period of the state of war emergency, and the Governor may thereupon designate the person who shall carry on the rights, obligations, and duties of the office or position for the duration of such suspension.

article: 12. State of War Emergency


citation: GOV § 8622

text: During a state of war emergency, the Governor, any state agency, or any agency acting under the authority of this chapter may exercise outside the territorial limits of this state any of the powers conferred upon him or it by or pursuant to this chapter.

article: 12. State of War Emergency


citation: GOV § 8623

text: During a state of war emergency, any person holding a license, certificate, or other permit issued by any state evidencing the meeting of the qualifications of such state for professional, mechanical, or other skills, may render aid involving such skill to meet the emergency as fully as if such license, certificate, or other permit had been issued in this state if a substantially similar license, certificate, or other permit is issued in this state to applicants possessing the same professional, mechanical, or other skills.

article: 12. State of War Emergency


citation: GOV § 8624

text:
All of the powers granted the Governor by this chapter with respect to a state of war emergency shall terminate when:

(a) The state of war emergency has been terminated by proclamation of the Governor or by concurrent resolution of the Legislature declaring it at an end; or

(b) The Governor has not within 30 days after the beginning of such state of war emergency issued a call for a special session of the Legislature for the purpose of legislating on subjects relating to such state of war emergency, except when the Legislature is already convened with power to legislate on such subjects.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 36, Sec. 14. (SB 92) Effective June 30, 2011. Operative January 1, 2012, by Sec. 83 of Ch. 36.)

article: 12. State of War Emergency


citation: GOV § 8625

text:
The Governor is hereby empowered to proclaim a state of emergency in an area affected or likely to be affected thereby when:

(a) He finds that circumstances described in subdivision (b) of Section 8558 exist; and either

(b) He is requested to do so (1) in the case of a city by the mayor or chief executive, (2) in the case of a county by the chairman of the board of supervisors or the county administrative officer; or

(c) He finds that local authority is inadequate to cope with the emergency.

article: 13. State of Emergency

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 13. State of Emergency


citation: GOV § 8626

text: Such proclamation shall be in writing and shall take effect immediately upon its issuance. As soon thereafter as possible such proclamation shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. The Governor shall cause widespread publicity and notice to be given such proclamation.

article: 13. State of Emergency


citation: GOV § 8627

text: During a state of emergency the Governor shall, to the extent he deems necessary, have complete authority over all agencies of the state government and the right to exercise within the area designated all police power vested in the state by the Constitution and laws of the State of California in order to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. In exercise thereof, he shall promulgate, issue, and enforce such orders and regulations as he deems necessary, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8567.

article: 13. State of Emergency


text:
(a) The Governor may make, amend, or rescind orders and regulations during a state of emergency that temporarily suspend any state, county, city, or special district statute, ordinance, regulation, or rule imposing nonsafety related restrictions on the delivery of food products, pharmaceuticals, and other emergency necessities distributed through retail or institutional channels, including, but not limited to, hospitals, jails, restaurants, and schools. The Governor shall cause widespread publicity and notice to be given to all of these orders and regulations, or amendments and rescissions thereof.

(b) The orders and regulations shall be in writing and take effect immediately on issuance. The temporary suspension of any statute, ordinance, regulation, or rule shall remain in effect until the order or regulation is rescinded by the Governor, the Governor proclaims the termination of the state of emergency, or for a period of 60 days, whichever occurs first.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 1186, Sec. 1.)

article: 13. State of Emergency


text:
(a) During a period for which the Governor has issued a proclamation of a state of emergency under this chapter based on drought conditions, a city, county, or city and county shall not impose a fine under any ordinance for a failure to water a lawn or for having a brown lawn.

(b) A violation of this section is not subject to the criminal penalties set forth in Section 8665.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 62, Sec. 2. (AB 1) Effective January 1, 2016.)

article: 13. State of Emergency


citation: GOV § 8628

text: During a state of emergency the Governor may direct all agencies of the state government to utilize and employ state personnel, equipment, and facilities for the performance of any and all activities designed to prevent or alleviate actual and threatened damage due to the emergency; and he may direct such agencies to provide supplemental services and equipment to political subdivisions to restore any services which must be restored in order to provide for the health and safety of the citizens of the affected area. Any agency so directed by the Governor may expend any of the moneys which have been appropriated to it in performing such activities, irrespective of the particular purpose for which the money was appropriated.

article: 13. State of Emergency


text:
(a) During a state of emergency, the Governor may direct all state agencies to utilize, employ, and direct state personnel, equipment, and facilities for the performance of any and all activities designed to allow community clinics and health centers to provide and receive reimbursement for services provided during or immediately following the emergency, including all of the following:

(1) To issue permits.

(2) To expedite application processing timelines.

(3) To direct, to the extent necessary, the State Department of Health Care Services, or any other state agency, to seek all appropriate federal approvals to allow community clinics and health centers to provide and be reimbursed for Medi-Cal or other services that are provided either telephonically, or to patients at a shelter or other location within the geographical boundaries of the emergency as stated in the proclamation declaring the state of emergency.

(4) To provide guidance, supplemental services, or whatever resources may be necessary to political subdivisions to ensure the provision of services by community clinics and health centers that are necessary to provide for the health and safety of the citizens of the affected area.

(b) Any agency directed by the Governor to perform activities pursuant to subdivision (a) may expend any of the moneys that have been appropriated to it in order to perform those activities, irrespective of the particular purpose for which the moneys were originally appropriated.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 716, Sec. 5. (AB 2576) Effective January 1, 2019.)

article: 13. State of Emergency


citation: GOV § 8629

text: The Governor shall proclaim the termination of a state of emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant. All of the powers granted the Governor by this chapter with respect to a state of emergency shall terminate when the state of emergency has been terminated by proclamation of the Governor or by concurrent resolution of the Legislature declaring it at an end.

article: 13. State of Emergency


citation: GOV § 8630

text:
(a) A local emergency may be proclaimed only by the governing body of a city, county, or city and county, or by an official designated by ordinance adopted by that governing body.

(b) Whenever a local emergency is proclaimed by an official designated by ordinance, the local emergency shall not remain in effect for a period in excess of seven days unless it has been ratified by the governing body.

(c) The governing body shall review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days until the governing body terminates the local emergency.

(d) The governing body shall proclaim the termination of the local emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 395, Sec. 1. (AB 2898) Effective January 1, 2019.)

article: 14. Local Emergency

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 14. Local Emergency


citation: GOV § 8631

text: In periods of local emergency, political subdivisions have full power to provide mutual aid to any affected area in accordance with local ordinances, resolutions, emergency plans, or agreements therefor.

article: 14. Local Emergency


citation: GOV § 8632

text: State agencies may provide mutual aid, including personnel, equipment, and other available resources, to assist political subdivisions during a local emergency or in accordance with mutual aid agreements or at the direction of the Governor.

article: 14. Local Emergency


citation: GOV § 8633

text: In the absence of a state of war emergency or state of emergency, the cost of extraordinary services incurred by political subdivisions in executing mutual aid agreements shall constitute a legal charge against the state when approved by the Governor in accordance with orders and regulations promulgated as prescribed in Section 8567.

article: 14. Local Emergency


citation: GOV § 8634

text:
During a local emergency the governing body of a political subdivision, or officials designated thereby, may promulgate orders and regulations necessary to provide for the protection of life and property, including orders or regulations imposing a curfew within designated boundaries where necessary to preserve the public order and safety. Such orders and regulations and amendments and rescissions thereof shall be in writing and shall be given widespread publicity and notice.

The authorization granted by this chapter to impose a curfew shall not be construed as restricting in any manner the existing authority of counties and cities and any city and county to impose pursuant to the police power a curfew for any other lawful purpose.

article: 14. Local Emergency


citation: GOV § 8635

text:
The Legislature recognizes that if this state or nation were attacked by an enemy of the United States, many areas in California might be subjected to the effects of an enemy attack and some or all of these areas could be severely damaged. During such attacks and in the reconstruction period following such attacks, law and order must be preserved and so far as possible government services must be continued or restored. This can best be done by civil government. To help to preserve law and order and to continue or restore local services, it is essential that the local units of government continue to function.

In enacting this article the Legislature finds and declares that the preservation of local government in the event of enemy attack or in the event of a state of emergency or a local emergency is a matter of statewide concern. The interdependence of political subdivisions requires that, for their mutual preservation and for the protection of all the citizens of the State of California, all political subdivisions have the power to take the minimum precautions set forth in this article. The purpose of this article is to furnish a means by which the continued functioning of political subdivisions will be assured. Should any part of this article be in conflict with or inconsistent with any other part of this chapter, the provisions of this article shall control.

Nothing in this article shall prevent a city or county existing under a charter from amending said charter to provide for the preservation and continuation of its government in the event of a state of war emergency.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1974, Ch. 595.)

article: 15. Preservation of Local Government

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 15. Preservation of Local Government


citation: GOV § 8636

text: As used in this article, “unavailable” means that an officer is either killed, missing, or so seriously injured as to be unable to attend meetings and otherwise perform his duties. Any question as to whether a particular officer is unavailable shall be settled by the governing body of the political subdivision or any remaining available members of said body (including standby officers who are serving on such governing body).

article: 15. Preservation of Local Government


citation: GOV § 8637

text: Each political subdivision may provide for the succession of officers who head departments having duties in the maintenance of law and order or in the furnishing of public services relating to health and safety.

article: 15. Preservation of Local Government


citation: GOV § 8638

text:
To provide for the continuance of the legislative and executive departments of the political subdivision during a state of war emergency or a state of emergency or a local emergency the governing body thereof shall have the power to appoint the following standby officers:

(a) Three for each member of the governing body.

(b) Three for the chief executive, if he is not a member of the governing body.

In case a standby office becomes vacant because of removal, death, resignation, or other cause, the governing body shall have the power to appoint another person to fill said office.

Standby officers shall be designated Nos. 1, 2, and 3 as the case may be.

article: 15. Preservation of Local Government


citation: GOV § 8639

text:
The qualifications of each standby officer should be carefully investigated, and the governing body may request the Director of Emergency Services to aid in the investigation of any prospective appointee. No examination or investigation shall be made without the consent of the prospective appointee.

Consideration shall be given to places of residence and work, so that for each office for which standby officers are appointed there shall be the greatest probability of survivorship. Standby officers may be residents or officers of a political subdivision other than that to which they are appointed as standby officers.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 176. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

article: 15. Preservation of Local Government


citation: GOV § 8640

text: Each standby officer shall take the oath of office required for the officer occupying the office for which he stands by. Persons appointed as standby officers shall serve in their posts as standby officers at the pleasure of the governing body appointing them and may be removed and replaced at any time with or without cause.

article: 15. Preservation of Local Government


citation: GOV § 8641

text:
Each standby officer shall have the following duties:

(a) To inform himself or herself of the duties of the office for which the officer stands by. Officers and employees of the political subdivision shall assist the standby officer and each political subdivision shall provide each standby officer with a copy of this article.

(b) To keep informed of the business and affairs of the political subdivision to the extent necessary to enable the standby officer to fill his or her post competently. For this purpose the political subdivision may arrange information meetings and require attendance.

(c) To immediately report himself or herself ready for duty in the event of a state of war emergency or in the event of a state of emergency or a local emergency at the place and in the method previously designated by the political subdivision.

(d) To fill the post for which he or she has been appointed when the regular officer is unavailable during a state of war emergency, a state of emergency or a local emergency. Standby officers Nos. 2 and 3 shall substitute in succession for standby officer No. 1 in the same way that standby officer No. 1 is substituted in place of the regular officer. The standby officer shall serve until the regular officer becomes available or until the election or appointment of a new regular officer.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1020, Sec. 1.7. Effective January 1, 1993.)

article: 15. Preservation of Local Government


citation: GOV § 8642

text: Whenever a state of war emergency a state of emergency or a local emergency exists the governing body of the political subdivision shall meet as soon as possible. The place of meeting need not be within the political subdivision. The meeting may be called by the chief executive of the political subdivision or by a majority of the members of the governing body. Should there be only one member of the governing body, he may call and hold said meeting and perform acts necessary to reconstitute the governing body.

article: 15. Preservation of Local Government


citation: GOV § 8643

text:
During a state of war emergency a state of emergency or a local emergency the governing body shall:

(a) Ascertain the damage to the political subdivision and its personnel and property. For this purpose it shall have the power to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of records.

(b) Proceed to reconstitute itself by filling vacancies until there are sufficient officers to form the largest quorum required by the law applicable to that political subdivision. Should only one member of the governing body or only one standby officer be available, that one shall have power to reconstitute the governing body.

(c) Proceed to reconstitute the political subdivision by appointment of qualified persons to fill vacancies.

(d) Proceed to perform its functions in the preservation of law and order and in the furnishing of local services.

article: 15. Preservation of Local Government


citation: GOV § 8644

text:
Should all members of the governing body, including all standby members, be unavailable, temporary officers shall be appointed to serve until a regular member or a standby member becomes available or until the election or appointment of a new regular or standby member. Temporary officers shall be appointed as follows:

(a) By the chairman of the board of supervisors of the county in which the political subdivision is located, and if he is unavailable,

(b) By the chairman of the board of supervisors of any other county within 150 miles of the political subdivision, beginning with the nearest and most populated county and going to the farthest and least populated, and if he is unavailable,

(c) By the mayor of any city within 150 miles of the political subdivision, beginning with the nearest and most populated city and going to the farthest and least populated.

article: 15. Preservation of Local Government


citation: GOV § 8645

text: In addition to any appropriation made to support activities contemplated by this chapter, the Governor is empowered to make expenditures from any fund legally available in order to deal with actual or threatened conditions of a state of war emergency, state of emergency, or local emergency.

article: 16. General Fiscal Provisions

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 7. California Emergency Services Act > 16. General Fiscal Provisions


citation: GOV § 8646

text:
In carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the Governor may:

(a) Procure and maintain offices in such parts of the state as may be necessary or convenient;

(b) Acquire property, real or personal, or any interest therein;

(c) Cooperate and contract with public and private agencies for the performance of such acts, the rendition of such services, and the affording of such facilities as may be necessary and proper;

(d) Do such other acts and things as may be necessary and incidental to the exercise of powers and the discharge of duties conferred or imposed by the provisions of this chapter.

article: 16. General Fiscal Provisions


citation: GOV § 8647

text:
(a) Whenever the federal government or any agency or officer thereof shall offer to the state, or through the state to any political subdivision thereof, services, equipment, supplies, materials, or funds by way of gift, grant, or loan, for purposes of the mitigation of the effects of an emergency, the state, acting through the Governor, or such political subdivision, acting with the consent of the Governor and through its chief executive or governing body, may accept such offer.

(b) Whenever any person, firm, or corporation shall offer to the state or to any political subdivision thereof, services, equipment, supplies, materials, or funds by way of gift, grant, or loan, for purposes of the mitigation of the effects of an emergency, the state, acting through the Governor, or such political subdivision, acting through its chief executive or governing body, may accept such offer.

(c) Upon acceptance, the Governor of the state or the chief executive or governing body of such political subdivision may authorize any officer of the state or of the political subdivision, as the case may be, to receive such services, equipment, supplies, materials, or funds on behalf of the state or such political subdivision, subject to the terms of the offer and subject to the rules and regulations, if any, of a federal agency making such offer.

article: 16. General Fiscal Provisions


citation: GOV § 8648

text: The Governor may reimburse any state agency for funds expended in the performance of any and all activities as set forth in Section 8628 in accordance with orders and regulations promulgated as prescribed in Section 8567. Such reimbursement shall be subject to the provisions of Section 8649.

article: 16. General Fiscal Provisions


citation: GOV § 8649

text: Subject to the approval of the Department of Finance, any state agency may use its personnel, property, equipment, and appropriations for carrying out the purposes of this chapter, and in that connection may loan personnel to the Office of Emergency Services. The Department of Finance shall determine whether reimbursement shall be made to any state agency for expenditures heretofore or hereafter made or incurred for those purposes from any appropriation available for the Office of Emergency Services, except that as to any expenditure made or incurred by any state agency the funds of which are subject to constitutional restriction that would prohibit their use for those purposes, that reimbursement shall be provided and the original expenditure shall be considered a temporary loan to the General Fund.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 177. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

article: 16. General Fiscal Provisions


citation: GOV § 8650

text: Any funds received by state agencies as reimbursement for services or supplies furnished under the authority of this chapter shall be deposited to the credit of the appropriation or appropriations from which the expenditures were made.

article: 16. General Fiscal Provisions


citation: GOV § 8651

text: The Director of Emergency Services may procure from the federal government or any of its agencies such surplus equipment, apparatus, supplies, and storage facilities therefor as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 178. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

article: 16. General Fiscal Provisions


citation: GOV § 8652

text: Before payment may be made by the state to any person in reimbursement for taking or damaging private property necessarily utilized by the Governor in carrying out his or her responsibilities under this chapter during a state of war emergency or state of emergency, or for services rendered at the instance of the Governor under those conditions, the person shall present a claim to the Department of General Services in accordance with the provisions of the Government Code governing the presentation of claims against the state for the taking or damaging of private property for public use, which provisions shall govern the presentment, allowance, or rejection of the claims and the conditions upon which suit may be brought against the state. Payment for property or services shall be made from any funds appropriated by the state for that purpose.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 31, Sec. 63. (SB 836) Effective June 27, 2016.)

article: 16. General Fiscal Provisions


citation: GOV § 8653

text: In the event that the Governor, during a state of war emergency or a state of emergency and in the exercise of the emergency powers vested in him, shall order the officers, employees, or agencies of any county, city and county, city, or district to perform duties outside of the territorial limits of their respective agencies, any services performed or expenditures made in connection therewith by any such agency shall be deemed conclusively to be for the direct protection and benefit of the inhabitants and property of such agency. During a state of war emergency or a state of emergency in the event that any equipment owned, leased, or operated by any county, city and county, city, or district, is damaged or destroyed while being used outside of the territorial limits of the public agency owning such equipment, the public agency suffering loss shall be entitled to file a claim for the amount thereof against the State of California in the manner provided in Section 8652. Such agency shall have no claim against the state for services of such personnel or for the rental, use, or ordinary wear and tear of such equipment, except such extraordinary services incurred by local governmental agencies in executing mutual aid agreements.

article: 16. General Fiscal Provisions