Grand Jury County of San Mateo Hall of Justice

The Grand Jury recommends that the Emergency Services Council (ESC) direct the OES staff to work closely with San Mateo County communities to assist them in becoming certified Tsunami Ready locations. More specifically, the ESC and OES should use the Tsunami Ready plans as a model to help Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, and the unincorporated coastal communities accomplish the following: 1.1 Develop an emergency tsunami response plan for each community that specifies how the public and emergency service providers are to be informed of an alert and what their response should be. 1 1.2 Educate the public on the dangers of tsunami, how the alert system works, and what to do in the event of an alert. 1.3 Obtain approval and permits from the appropriate government agencies (Coastal Commission, CalTrans, and State Parks) for tsunami warning signage and a siren/broadcast system and install same. 1.4 Acquire inundation maps for entire San Mateo County Coast. 1.5 Ensure that the resources of the Regional Office of the Red Cross are sufficient and properly distributed. 1.6 Acquire the resources and technology to make San Mateo County Storm Ready/Tsunami Ready by December 31, 2007. Response: The Emergency Services Council has been briefed on the issues regarding tsunami issues regarding San Mateo County. The ESC is aware that OES/HS is actively involved and addressing the issues brought forth by the Civil Grand Jury and supports the ongoing efforts of OES/HS. Sheriff Munks also supports the ongoing efforts of OES/HS to follow the guidelines in a timely and effective manner to better prepare our residents for a tsunami event. Recently OES/HS acquired two alert systems for public notification: the first being a digital alert system that alerts “text messaging” devices (cell phone text messaging, digital pagers, and e- mail). The second system is a Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS), which would call each home or business in the effected area. This second system also offers either an audible siren or voice speaker alert system. Only six sirens/speakers are funded through OES/HS for the inundation areas so the three jurisdictions will need to find further funding through either general fund or other sources to increase the number of sirens necessary to alert all of the residents and visitors in the inundation areas. Education efforts are constantly underway. OES/HS developed a written pamphlet of information that was adopted by Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, and unincorporated areas. Each jurisdiction has distributed this information to the public. Several focus groups of emergency responders have already been held to address issues related to tsunami and will continue to dialog on the threat issues. The three jurisdictions of San Mateo County, Pacifica, and Half Moon Bay started discussions regarding the permitting issues of both sirens and signage for the Tsunami Ready Program. All three jurisdictions are open to the idea and are willing to support the effort to the California Coastal Commission. OES/HS requested the United States Geological Survey to survey the entire San Mateo County coast and the Bay Side of San Mateo County as to the rise in sea water as it relates to tsunami inundation. OES/HS is in constant contact with the American Red Cross, also including other service providers such as the Salvation Army, Second Harvest Food Bank, and the State of California Office of Emergency Services as it relates to shelter support for the coast. OES/HS received the distinct honor of the National Weather Service “Storm Ready” certification on September 21, 2006. This is a vital first step to achieve Tsunami Ready Certification. OES/HS believes it can reach the Tsunami Ready criteria by December 31, 2007.

The Grand Jury recommends that the Sheriff instruct OES to: 5.1 Provide advice and guidance for the development of tsunami alert and evacuation plan for the rural coastal communities. 5.2 Work with the ESC to accomplish goals 1.1 through 1.6 above. Response: Sheriff Munks concurs with the recommendations of the Grand Jury and supports the efforts OES/HS, as mentioned above. Once again, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security thanks the Civil Grand Jury for researching the effects of a tsunami related event in San Mateo County. Working together to prepare and educate both the public and government agencies is of the utmost importance in addressing this constant threat to our communities. Sincerely, Greg Munks, Sheriff cc: The Honorable Board of Supervisors Grand Jury Website 3 January 29, 2007 Honorable John L. Grandsaert Grand Jury Judge Hall of Justice and Records 400 County Center Redwood City, CA 94063 Re: 2006-2007 Grand Jury Report: Tsunami Alert and Evacuation on the San Mateo County Coast Dear Judge Grandsaert; We wish to acknowledge the efforts of the Civil Grand Jury with this report regarding the Emergency Services Council (ESC). We feel the report is accurate, and depicts an understanding and appreciation by the members of the Grand Jury regarding issues relating to Tsunami impact on the San Mateo County coast. The Emergency Services Council is in general agreement and fully supports the findings of the Civil Grand Jury The ESC appreciates a partnership in alerting residents and visitors to the very real and often potential danger of a tsunami striking San Mateo County.