EMC361 State OES Evolution 8/10
To:   Emergency Communications Units - Information Bulletin
To:   Emergency Management Agencies via Internet and Radio
By:   Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) of the
      California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

EMC361 State OES Evolution 8/10      Release 9/30/02 

"In 1986 the U.S. Congress passed the Federal Superfund
Amendments Authorization Act requiring each governor to
establish a state commission and local planning committees to
implement a similar federal planning and right-to-know law. 
The former OES Hazardous Materials Division grew to support this
state commission and six regional planning committees. In 1987
the Legislature passed AB 3777 (LaFollette) focusing on chemical
accident prevention, requiring businesses to develop risk
management, and assigned OFS the task of developing program
guidelines and providing assistance to local implementing
agencies.

OES has been assigned these hazardous materials programs
because they are founded in emergency response planning,
coordinated with other types of emergency planning (such
as that for catastrophic earthquakes), and require coordi-
nated multi-disciplinary responses.

In addition to specific response plans for state/federal
agency coordination at these incidents, OES provides
assistance to local jurisdictions. Federally funded radiologi-
cal training focuses not only on civil defense related issues
but also on peace time applications, such as response to
transportation accidents involving radiological materials.

OASIS Program                             

Earthquake simulation exercises in 1987 and 1989, and the
response to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, highlighted
the need for a manageable and effective system for compil-
ing disaster intelligence and resource requests. In pursuing
solutions, OES identified several issues. One problem was
that a number of jurisdictions were discussing the same
information or resource needs. Another was the need for a
high capacity, failsafe communications system. To address
these, OES proposed expanded use of the operational area
concept in emergencies, and development of an alternate
network of communications hardware. These proposals became the
focus of the Operational Area Satellite Information System
(OASIS). It was funded under the Federal Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Act of l986 and provided a means of exchanging disaster
intelligence and resource requests between special districts,
cities, counties, operational areas, and the state.

Various boards, committees and commissions supported by state OES
include:

- California Emergency Council - the official advisory Board to
the Governor on matters pertaining to statewide emergency
preparedness. It meets periodically to review plans and accredit
local Disaster Councils.   

- Governor's Emergency Operations Executive Council - which in 
times of emergencies may advise the Governor on policy issues
and application of state resources. The GEOFC was created by
Governor George Deukmejian for input from the directors of
emergency response-oriented state agencies.

- California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council - which
was established in 1974 as an advisory committee to OES, was
officially appointed in 1976. It acts as an advisory body to
the Director relating to earthquake predictions, meets quarterly
or as required to evaluate predictions." 
Continues next week.
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