Office of Emergency Services

Recommendations 1

• R3

  Page 13
  Conduct an annual evaluation of the Chief Administrative Officer, at which time goals consistent with the priorities of the board can be established. Grand Jury Report # 2008-AF-03 Office of Emergency Services Who Shall Respond: Pursuant to California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05, responses to the Findings and Recommendations of this report shall be provided as follows:  No Response Required Report: The Grand Jury reviewed the Office of Emergency Services (OES) and its role in coordination of services and agencies in the event of disaster. Office of Emergency Services The Office of Emergency Services is located in the basement of the Humboldt County courthouse in Eureka. It houses a complete communications center with emergency power to operate in the event of an electrical outage. The equipment is well organized and maintained although working space is limited and there is no room for expansion. The OES director maintains his office at this location and is responsible for daily operations and the coordination of services in the event of disaster. OES is an arm of the sheriff’s department and the resources of that department are available to OES. The sheriff and the OES director are prepared to mobilize emergency equipment and materials county-wide, as necessary. Assistance includes the provision of trained personnel and equipment and taking the lead in coordinating interagency resources. Request for mutual aid from outside the county, such as from the State Office of Emergency Services, are routed through the county OES. The OES offers training by state and federal personnel to maintain expertise and readiness. This includes specific training in communications protocol and the coordination of emergency services. The Department of Homeland Security previously provided resources to OES, including $250,000 for the purchase of a state-of-the-art emergency van known as the Mobile Command Center. This special communications center is controlled by the Humboldt County Sheriff Special Services Department. Several individuals receive mandatory periodic training in the operation of the command center. The Mobile Command Center is available for use by various agencies including law enforcement, fire departments, and the health department. The mobile unit is equipped to operate in remote areas. 11