LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: August 8, 2025
Subject: Emergency/Disaster Preparedness and Response.
Submitted For: Legislation Committee
Contact: E. Struthers, 925-655-2045
Referral History:
Emergencies, including natural disasters, can strike at any time and affect anyone. Major threats in California include wildfires, wildfire smoke, extreme heat, power outages, floods, earthquakes, and severe storms. Over the past 200 years, all levels of government have been involved in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. The current system includes the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), and local government agencies, including Contra Costa County.
A number of recent large-scale disasters, including the L.A. Fires, have brought this topic to the forefront. Federal conversations have been initiated to reduce federal support for emergencies, and to eliminate FEMA itself. With the frequency and severity of disasters increasing, disaster planning is both a perennially and an increasingly important policy topic.
Referral Update:
Invited panelists include:
• Rick Kovar, Emergency Services Manager
• Tim Ewell, Chief Assistant County Administrator
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE and DISCUSS informational updates on Emergency/Disaster Preparedness and Response.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None.