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Director Henry Renteria

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California Emergency Council




The California Emergency Council (CEC) is the official advisory body to the Governor of California in times of emergency and on matters pertaining to emergency preparedness. The Council was established under the Emergency Services Act in the California Government Code Section 8575.


The Council is responsible for recommending and approving orders, regulations and emergency planning documents for the Governor; and is required to meet not less frequently than annually and shall meet upon the call of the Governor. Membership for the Council includes (1) the Governor (ex-officio chair); (2) the Lieutenant Governor, or an alternate; (3) the Attorney General, or an alternate; (4) one representative of the city governments of the state and one representative of the county governments of the state, to be appointed by the Governor; (5) one representative of the American National Red Cross, to be appointed by the Governor; (6) one representative of the city or county fire services of the state and (7) one representative of the city or county law enforcement services of the state,
The Emergency Council Members at the August 2008 meeting.

to be appointed by the Governor; (8) the President pro Tempore of the Senate, or an alternate; (9) the Speaker of the Assembly, or an alternate (10) one representative of a local public health agency (appointed by the Governor on July 24, 2007). The California Emergency Management Agency is responsible for providing staff support to the California Emergency Council as necessary.

The Council includes two standing advisory committees, with members selected by the Governor. The advisory committee co-chairs have selected the representatives that are comprised of volunteer and business leaders that will aid or prepare their communities for potential disasters, and work in partnership with government to prepare businesses and communities for potential disasters.

For many years, organizations addressing natural disasters and war emergencies were separate and distinct. Since 1945, the Legislature has combined in a single organization the responsibility for planning and preparing for both war-caused and natural disasters.

Today, we have our present day California Emergency Council that carries out activities that have statewide implications. Key activities for the Council include recommendations to the Governor for approval of the State Emergency Plan and other plans which may be incorporated; approval of mutual aid plans pursuant to the Master Mutual Aid Agreement; approving Governor’s standby orders which are promulgated during a State of Emergency; establishing regulations for disaster service workers (emergency services volunteers); and accrediting local disaster councils.



For more information on the California Emergency Council: