· Rhoenvedean Sheriff Ventura County*

Conclusions 1

• CL1
  Conclusion (C-01): The Grand Jury concluded that there are 14 dams, including four in Los Angeles County, that could cause significant loss of life and property damage in Ventura County if they failed. Of those, DSOD has identified four dams as having existing or potential deficiencies. (FA-01, FA-02, FA-03, FA-04) Response: We agree with this conclusion. Conclusion (C-06): The Grand Jury concluded that dam-disaster response plans reviewed follow state guidelines. However, they provide little or no guidance beyond the process of notifying dam management and the OES. (FA-04, FA-13) Response: We disagree partially with this conclusion. Emergency Action Plans, written and maintained by dam operators, are organized with key components that follow state and federal guidelines. This includes emergency responsibilities, emergency notification processes, response processes, preparedness actions including surveillance and monitoring processes and inundation maps. Conclusion (C-07): The Grand Jury concluded that with limited exceptions, there does not appear to be any way of notifying people in potential inundation areas of pending disasters other than the phone and cell-phone alert systems. These systems are likely to fail in a major earthquake. (FA-14, FA-15, FA-16, FA-17, FA-18) Response: We disagree wholly with this conclusion. Emergency notifications and warnings are issued using a multimodal and redundant system. The system is comprised of numerous capabilities including VC Alert, the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alert System, sirens, traditional media and social media. These tools broadcast notifications and warnings to landline phones, cellular phones, radio, television, weather radio, digital platforms like email, Nixle and Twitter. Additionally, public safety officials make notifications and warnings in-person and by using public address equipment on aircraft and vehicles. □ SUPPORT SERVICES □ PATROL SERVICES □ DETENTION SERVICES C SPECIAL SERVICES (805) 654-5134 FAX (805) 677-8715 (805) 654-2305 FAX (805) 654-3500 (805) 383-8791 Fax (805) 389-6549 (805) 494-8260 FAX (805) 494-8295 Visit Us on the Web www.vcsd.org The Honorable Patricia Murphy Presiding Judge, Ventura County Superior Court June 19, 2018 Page 2 Conclusion (C-08): The Grand Jury concluded there does not appear to be any effort by the dam owners or the OES to educate the public as to potential inundation areas, evacuation routes, or what to do in the event of a dam failure. (FA-14, FA-15, FA-16, FA-17, FA-18) Response: We disagree partially with this conclusion. The Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services (OES) provides all-hazard preparedness information to Ventura County communities and makes the information accessible via community meetings and the ReadyVenturaCounty website. This includes dam hazard preparedness information and dam inundation maps. Sheriff's OES is committed to promoting a culture of preparedness in Ventura County and will continue to work with dam stakeholders and community members to provide dam hazard preparedness information. Conclusion (C-09): The Grand Jury concluded that the OES's main tools to notify the public in the event of a dam failure have been upgraded to include information in both English and Spanish. (FA-18, FA-19) Response: We agree with this conclusion. Conclusion (C-10): The Grand Jury concluded that while the DSOD requires inspections, there is no local monitoring or public awareness as to the status of the dams and the actions taken by their owners to improve their reliability and safety. (F-01, F-02, F-03, F-04, F-05, F-06) Response: We disagree partially with this conclusion. The Sheriff's OES is not responsible for monitoring or regulating dam safety. The Sheriff's OES does partner with dam operators and stakeholders, including the California Department of Water Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD), to accomplish the mission of supporting and coordinating preparedness, mitigation, and response and recovery efforts for dam hazards. This includes exercises, workshops and planning efforts that are conducted on a routine basis.