Office of Emergency Services (OES)
The Office of Emergency Services (OES) provides emergency management services for the County/Operational Area including its seven cities/towns and special districts. OES coordinates emergency operations activities among all the various local jurisdictions and develops written guidelines for emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation to natural / man-made disasters, and technological disasters. OES is mandated by the California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7, Division 1,Title 2 of Government Code) to serve as the liaison between the State and all the local government political subdivisions comprising Imperial County.
The Office of Emergency Services establishes the Imperial County /Operational Area Emergency Operations Center (EOC) when directed by County emergency management authority. An EOC is a location from which centralized emergency management can be performed during a major emergency or disaster. This center facilitates a coordinated response by the Director of Emergency Services, Emergency Management Staff and representatives from organizations that are assigned emergency management responsibilities. The level of EOC staffing will vary depending upon the specific emergency situation.
Current Emergency Information
California Highway Road Information (CALTRANS) or (800-427-7623)
Emergency Management Organization
Imperial County Code Title 5 Chapter 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Division 2, Emergency Organization and Functions – Provides the legal basis necessary for Imperial County to conduct emergency planning, response, and recovery operations and provides the framework for the Imperial Operational Area Disaster & Citizen Corps Council.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
The EOC is where centralized emergency management is performed during major emergencies or disasters. The EOC function facilitates a coordinated response by community, local, state and federal agencies. The level of EOC staffing depends upon the situation but can range from 4 to 75 people. Located in the Heber Public Services Center, the EOC space serves as the Fire/OES administrative area as well as a training facility. In an emergency, the space is converted into a full operating EOC within two hours.
Current Adopted Plans
- IC Emergency Operations Plan
- Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Hazardous Materials Area Plan
Disaster and Citizens Corps Council
- Promote disaster preparedness through communication and education
- Harness the power of every resident through education and outreach, training and volunteer service to make their families, homes and communities safer from natural and/or man-made disasters or emergencies
- Report annually to the board of supervisors
The Imperial County Fire/OES serves as staff and support to the Disaster Council and its various committees. The Council meets at least quarterly or upon the call of the director or alternate director.
Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)
The Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) is the system required by California Government Code Section 8607(a) for managing emergencies involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies and was developed as a result of the 1991 East Bay Hills Fire. All state government agencies must use SEMS when responding to multi-jurisdictional or multi-agency emergencies. All local government agencies must use SEMS in multi-jurisdictional or multi-agency emergency responses to be eligible for state reimbursement of response-related personnel costs.
SEMS has been established to provide effective management of multi-agency and Multi-jurisdictional emergencies in California. By standardizing key elements of the emergency management system, SEMS is intended to facilitate the flow of information within and between levels of the system and facilitate coordination among all responding agencies. SEMS is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the varied disasters that occur in California and to the needs of all emergency responders.
More information on SEMS can be found online at the California Emergency Management Agency.
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a nationwide standardized approach to incident management and response. Developed by the US Department of Homeland Security and released March 2004, it establishes a uniform set of processes and procedures that emergency responders at all levels of government will use to conduct response operations.
More information on NIMS can be found online at the National Incident Management System Integration Center.
Training & Exercises
Emergency Management today is a continually evolving and rapidly changing industry that requires a constant and coordinated effort in training and exercises. As history has proven, catastrophic events have had significant impacts on all services and systems that support our society. Realizing that local governments are responsible for restoring these services and systems, in the most efficient and expeditious manner, the County of Imperial has implemented an emergency staff development program. This program provides training management system that enables County employees to perform duties during times of disaster or emergency while acting in the capacity of Disaster Service Workers (DSW), Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staff, or Building Evacuation Team (BET) members. The Imperial County Office of Emergency Services (OES) manages the program with the support of the Board of supervisors, the County Executive Officer, all department heads, managers, and employees.
For more Information:
Imperial EOC Training Calendar for FY2011-2012
California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI)
FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Online Training