Read and Consid

Conclusions 1

• CL1 Page 17
  Sonoma County has the beginnings of a solid framework for evacuations: a written Emergency Operations Plan, an active Emergency Operations Center for coordination, multi-channel public alert systems, and a robust community ofresidents who recognize both the need for preparedness and the value of planning for emergencies. Collaboration with voluntary agencies provides organized shelter and aid during disasters. These foundations mean the County does not have to start from scratch during a crisis. However, our analysis identifies areas needing attention. Communications stand out: evacuation orders and wamings must be localized, dynamic and include immediate instructions for specific areas.Tlte research evidence is clear that plain, specific alerts (especially mandatory orders when needed) save Iives. Sonoma County emergency communications networks should be both hardened and capable of May2A5 Page 17 of20 Sonoma Cowrty Civil Grard Jury Emergency Evacuation Plans reaching everywhere in the county, whether through improvements in physical capacity or support for community organizations that can reach places with radio networks when cell service isn't available. Infrastructure and logistics are anotier focus. Limitations ofthe existing road network means contingency planning in advance is key to public safety. Funding to reinforce key bridges, install more emergency power generators at critical communications sites (to prevent cell tower failures), or add redundancy (like more river gauges and weatler sensors) would increase resilience . The most impactful and consequential fact impacting evacuations is the inadequacy of the roads required for emergency evacuations. Highway 12 in the Sonoma Valley, Westside Road between Healdsburg and the Russian fuver, and River Road along the Russian River are the most obvious examples of roads that are critical foremergency evacudion, yet they are single lane each way, with some area having minimal shoulders and turn-outs. Upgrading these roads will reduce the likelihood ofsignificant trafiic problems during the next emergency evacuation. Inadequate response to legal mandates for preparedness: Califomia's legal landscape for disaster and emergency management creates a comprehansive, multi-layered system with local authorities at its core. Statutes charge cities and counties with developing robust emergency plans, integrating wildfre and flood considerations into every facet of community planning, and continually updating those plans to reflect new risks and knowledge. The Legislature has reinforced these duties through targeted laws on evacuation planning, alerting standards, and climate resilience. Califomia's stateJocal partrrership strives to ensure that whether it's a wildfire in the hills or a flood in the valleys, local authorities are prepared to lead a swift organized, and life-saving response. Califomia has leamed from hard experience that accountability for disaster readiness is clear: the state sets standards and provides support, but the operational responsibility lies with the local governments who know their communities best. While the framework in place provides a strong foundation to safeguard County residents from the perib ofwildfires and floods, Sonoma County's approachto date is long on physical preparedness but short on anticipation. To date, Sonoma County has fallen short of state mandates for preparation of (and communication to residents about) advance preparation of evacuation routes and traffic management systems, identification of(and advance planning for) evacuation via roads that are challenges for emergency services access, and investrnent in technology that would enable the Department of Emergency Management to develop the detailed analysis needed to facilitate unified command and contol during the next major evacuation. Sonoma County local governments must not only respond to disasters but prepare in advance by mapping every flood zone and fire hazard and hardening infrastructure and development pattems again$ these threats. Readiness is not static. By sharpening communication protocols, shoring up critical infrastructure, fully utilizing analytic modeling technology and engaging citizens in preparedness, the County can move closerto being truly ready for the next major evacuation event. And one is coming. May 2025 Page 18 of20 Sonoma Cormty Civil Grard Jury Emergency Evacuation Plans

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