Title
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Receive a presentation from the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) regarding the 2023 DEM Annual Report and 2024 DEM Priorities; and
b. Authorize and direct Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget (001-1040-8588-DEM001) (4/5 vote required) to increase appropriations by $50,000, funded by unspent ARPA revenues for contracted services to update the Monterey County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan; and
c. Direct the County Administrative Office in FY 2024-25 to set aside $125,000 in ARPA funds to continue with contracted services to update the Monterey County operations plan; and
d. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller and County Administrative Office to incorporate these changes in FY 2023-24 Department of Emergency Management Adopted Budget (001-1040-8588-DEM001) (4/5 vote required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation from the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) regarding the 2023 DEM Annual Report and 2024 DEM Priorities; and
b. Authorize and direct Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget (001-1040-8588-DEM001) (4/5 vote required) to increase appropriations by $50,000, funded by unspent ARPA revenues for contracted services to update the Monterey County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan; and
c. Direct the County Administrative Office in FY 2024-25 to set aside $125,000 in ARPA funds to continue with contracted services to update the Monterey County operations plan; and
d. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller and County Administrative Office to incorporate these changes in FY 2023-24 Department of Emergency Management Adopted Budget (001-1040-8588-DEM001) (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY:
The government at each jurisdiction is responsible for ensuring the necessary and appropriate actions are taken to protect people, property, and the environment from the consequences of emergencies and disasters. The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is a document that defines the scope of preparedness and emergency management activities necessary for that jurisdiction to effectively respond to a large-scale incident or disaster. Since the 2020 update of the Monterey County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan, seven new bills have been amended or added to Government Code regulating county emergency plans. The planning process for the fourth iteration of the Monterey County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan will commence in 2024 in anticipation of the November 2025 expiration date. The Department of Emergency Management plans to contract with a consultant to update the plan over the course of the 24-month update period.
DISCUSSION:
When threatened by any hazard, citizens expect elected or appointed leaders to take immediate action to help them resolve the problem. Citizens expect the government to marshal its resources, channel the efforts of the whole community-including voluntary organizations and the private sector-and, if necessary, solicit assistance from outside the jurisdiction. The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is the foundation of emergency management programs across the country as established under the National Incident Management System. An emergency plan is a document that defines the scope of preparedness and emergency management activities necessary for that jurisdiction to effectively respond to a large-scale incident or disaster. An emergency plan formalizes how resources are to be used in diverse scenarios and which courses of action should be taken so that the community has a plan for several types of response operations. The EOP addresses several operational response functions and describes how to fulfill its mission of providing resources to satisfy unmet needs. These functions focus on actions, such as direction and control, warning, public notification, and evacuation, that the local government must take during the initial phase of response operations.
Government Code
The Monterey County Department of Emergency Management is responsible for updating, implementing, and maintaining the Emergency Operations Plan as outlined under the State of California Government Code and County of Monterey Government Code.
• Government Of The State Of California [8000 - 22980], Chapter 7. California Emergency Services Act
• County of Monterey government Code- Chapter 2.68 - Emergency Procedures And Organization - 2.68.080 - Emergency Operations Plan.
New Legislation
Between 2016 and 2022, there have been seven bills amending or adding to Government Code regulating county emergency plans. These bills introduce new requirements regarding county emergency plans (1) submission, (2) content and planning process, and (3) review. In February 2023, due to recent legislation amending Government Code 8593.3.2, 8593.9, and 8610, CalOES is now required to review 10 county EOPs each year. The legislation also specifies items to be reviewed and that Cal OES is required to provide technical assistance and establish a by-request Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Consultation. In December 2023, Monterey County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) was notified by the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) that Monterey County’s EOP was selected for review by CalOES in April 2024.
2025 EOP Update
The Monterey County EOP was first written in 2007, updated in 2014 and again in 2020 when it was adopted by the Board of Supervisors. DEM anticipates that the EOP update will commence in 2024 in anticipation of the 2025 expiration date. As such, DEM has prioritized the Monterey County EOP update in accordance with state legislation and federal best practices throughout the duration of calendar year 2024 and 2025. To ensure compliance with new legislation, Department of Emergency Management intends to conduct a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a consulting company to incorporate recommendations from the CalOES review and past After-Action Reports to conduct a comprehensive review, and update of the 2020 EOP by December 31, 2026.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Department of Emergency Management will involve all pertinent county departments, unincorporated area public safety agencies, municipal jurisdictions, and other groups as required by legislation.
FINANCING:
The Department of Emergency Management requests $175,000 to be allocated over the next several fiscal years and is dependent on contract execution. DEM anticipates a need for $50,000 in FY 2023-24, $125,000 in FY 2024-25, with funding from unspent ARPA funds to contract a consultant by December 31, 2024, and update the Monterey County EOP with an anticipated completion date of December 31, 2026, to meet the required federal legislative deadline of the ARPA funds. Recipients of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024, and spent by December 31, 2026.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Economic Development
X Administration
Health and Human Services
-__ Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Kelsey Scanlon, Director of Department of Emergency Management, x1902
Approved by: Nick Chiulos, Chief Assistant County Administrative Officer, x5145
Attachments:
Attachment A - Resolution
Attachment B - 2023 Department of Emergency Management Annual Report
Attachment C - CAL OES Legislative Updates to EOP Fact Sheet
Attachment D - 2024 DEM Priorities Presentation