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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Tulare County Grand Jury • 2023-2024

Efforts During The Winter Flooding Disaster of 2022-23

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 5 findings

TCOES continues to reﬁ ne and improve their overall emergency response plan based on actual emergencies and the required responses over the last few years including major forest ﬁ res, challenges from COVID and the winter ﬂ oods, as well as continued information shared by other County, State and Federal agencies. 36

To meet the complex challenges from a developing emergency experienced from the constant ﬂ ooding, the eﬀ ective use of private contractors is a key factor in real time performance. The successful response to repair and recovery eﬀ orts is the ability to quickly identify the areas requiring the private contractors use, and how quickly those contractors can be contacted and physically on location.

Proactive eﬀ orts to pre-approve a wide range of contractors and services is critical to meeting the goals outlined in F2.

During times of emergency, volunteers are a critical resource available to TCOES. They can supplement ﬁ rst responder’s eﬀ orts and lessen the stress, as well as repair and recovery.

Communication of the programs related to shelter operations, road conditions, evacuation orders, procedures to volunteer or be approved as a private contractor. This was a daunting task but was not only essential to success in handling the emergency, but also to the residents’ perception of the eﬀ ectiveness of TCOES performance.

Recommendations 4

R1

Continue eﬀ orts to pre-approve as many contractors and service providers as possible. In addition, improve availability of information related to the approval process for contractors or service providers to become part of the program.
R2

Improve eﬀ orts to recruit and pre-approve volunteers in a manner like contractors and service providers outlined in R1. The goodwill, skills and commitment from many residents in this county are assets that need to be fully developed. There should be ample information making it easy for residents to volunteer in advance, or at the height of an emergency.
R3

Frequent posting to emergency service announcements via television, radio and the web to make it easier for residents to know ahead of an emergency to use the AlertTC website. Continue eﬀ orts to improve access to real time information related to evacuations, shelter operations, road conditions pertaining to closures and detours. A possible source of emergency information released would be to alert all cell phones (similar to an Amber alert) and frequent posting of emergency service announcements via television and radio. Explore automatic inclusion for alerts to all county residents.
R4

Continued reﬁ nement of process and procedures for outreach to the vulnerable segments of the population. REQUIRED RESPONSES: Tulare County Board of Supervisors