The California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) in support of the State Emergency Plan (SEP) Emergency Function #6 (EF-6) Care and Shelter provides coordination and planning assistance in addressing the emergency management needs of the State. The Mass Care and Shelter (EF-6) as described in the SEP is displayed below:
Coordinates actions to assist responsible jurisdictions to meet the needs of victims displaced during an incident including food assistance, clothing, non-medical care and sheltering, family reunification and victim recovery.
The lead state agency for Mass Care and Shelter is the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHSA) based on its authorities, resources and capabilities. There are although a number of other state agencies who play a key role in support of CHHSA in all phases of emergency management that include mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
Plans and Guidance
Meeting the Needs of Vulnerable People in Times of Disaster
Department of Social Services-Shelter Evacuation Plan (draft)
Guidance on Planning and Responding to the Needs of People with Access and Functional Needs-Sheltering
Guidance on Planning and Responding to the Needs of People with Access and Functional Needs-Evacuation/Transportation
Department of Social Services-Best Strategies for Effective Mass care and Sheltering
California Department of Social Services-Mass Care and Shelter
Care and Shelter Supporting Agencies:
California Emergency Management Agency-The California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) serves as the lead agency for coordinating emergency activities related to fire and rescue, management, search and rescue, law enforcement and public information. The agency may assign primary and support roles to those branches within the agency that have the authorities, capabilities and resources necessary to meet emergency needs. Maintains a care and shelter supply inventory.
California Highway Patrol-Provides communications and transportation (as needed) to Cal EMA. Can provide limited mass care facilities.
Department of Housing and Community Development-Provides lists of the state owned Office of Migrant Services facilities available for emergency short term housing and local housing and community-based organizations that can provide additional housing facilities and outreach. Can provide policy and program guidance on housing issues and housing financing options and act as liaison to local housing authorities and community based housing organizations. Provides lists of departmental facilities available for emergency short and long-term housing and community-based organizations that can provide outreach.
Department of Real Estate-Works with the Department of Housing and Community Development on temporary housing issues.
California Department of Transportation-Classifies state property for possible temporary emergency housing sites.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation-Provides medical personnel, technicians supplies, equipment, pharmaceuticals and facilities (where appropriate) for care. Provides water, food products, food service equipment and livestock supplies and feed.
California Department of Education-Promotes the use of school property for public agencies during disasters. Coordinates food via the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) donations.
California Department of Food and Agriculture-Coordinates with private sector organizations dedicated to providing food, water, shelter and care to animals/livestock. Provides information for human mass care shelters that are currently fairgrounds. Provides food supply lists, emergency food assistance programs, oversees the California Animal Response in Emergency System (CARES) Program and provides food, water, shelter and care to animals/livestock. Coordinates food re-supply during an emergency.
California Department of Veterans Affairs-Has mass care facilities. Provides food and shelter to victims at departmental facilities.
California Department of Aging-Provides personnel to support senior issues and functionally impaired adults.
Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs-Coordinates with local programs to provide alcohol and drug services in care and shelter facilities. Provides personnel to participate in shelter assessment teams.
Department of Community Services and Development-Provides information lists related to community-based organizations that can provide outreach and safety-net services.
Department of Developmental Services-Provides facilities for shelter, food preparation and medical equipment/supplies for individuals residing in state-operated facilities to the extent possible. Coordinates with regional centers to identify and respond to the needs of the developmental services community. Provides consultation and assistance in accessing shelter space for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Department of Health Care Services-Provides information on bed availability of skilled nursing facilities in respective areas.
California Department of Mental Health-Coordinates with providers of care and shelter to address mental health issues and the provision of crisis counseling services for disaster victims and shelter workers. May contribute members to shelter evaluation team to determine adequacy of services.
California Department of Public Health-Ensures the safety of food, drugs, medical devices and other consumer products in the disaster area. Regulates bottled drinking water plants and distributors and drinking water haulers to ensure the safety of bottled or hauled water used as emergency supplies of drinking water. Provides support to local health departments for infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response and food safety and sanitation standards in shelters. Analyzes impacted areas for safe return of displaced populations.
California Department of Rehabilitation-May contribute personnel for evaluation teams to assess shelter sites for ability to incorporate special needs populations. May provide staff and available lists of additional personnel for sign language and translation services in other languages. Provides crucial materials in alternate format (Braille) and large print for people who are blind or visually impaired. May coordinate with other departments to provide information and referral services to persons with disabilities.
California Department of Social Services-Identifies state agency resources that may be available for support in care and shelter. Serves as the lead agency in coordinating resources needed to support mass care and shelter response and supports agencies in transitioning individuals from mass care to separate family living. Assists in the coordination of the reception of evacuees at sheltering locations, including assisting with evacuee identification and inquiries and coordinates language translation services. CDSS coordinates the social services aspect of the California Repatriation Plan operations with Cal EMA.
Emergency Medical Services Authority-Provides information on the medical requirements of shelters and the availability of medical facilities.
California National Guard-Can provide limited mass care facilities.
Office of Planning and Research-Supports family services agencies and works with Cal EMA related to Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) personnel to assist in response activities.
California Conservation Corps-Can provide personnel to assist with set-up and maintenance of care and shelter facilities. Provides personnel for mass care facilities, CARES and for other animal related emergencies.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection-Provides assistance, including mobile feeding centers.
California State Parks-Provides shelter, water and sanitation facilities in state park campgrounds.
California Department of Consumer Affairs-Provides staff to post-disaster assistance centers.
California Franchise Tax Board-Provides personnel and equipment to obtain tax relief for disaster losses.
California Department of General Services-Classifies state property for possible temporary emergency housing sites. Works with Cal EMA and creates facilities plans, including mobilization centers and disaster support areas.
Seismic Safety Committee-Under the Emergency Response Initiative of the state’s California Earthquake Loss Reduction Plan, the Commission provides expertise in public information and seismic policy analysis.
California State Board of Equalization-Advise and assist business and property owners in obtaining emergency tax relief for disaster losses.
Board of Governor's-Community Colleges-Organizes education/college facilities related to Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Welfare Services.