What We Do
What is Emergency Management
The City of Temecula runs efficiently when the inter-dependent systems, which rely upon each other, work together to keep things running smoothly. These systems include the City’s Fire, Police, Public Works, Animal Control, public transit as well as water, power and communications companies along with other non-governmental organizations. These groups as individuals can handle smaller incidents that occur on a day to day basis with little or no disruption to the city. In fact, they often work together to handle the occasional larger incident that may occur.
However, when large incidents such as widespread flooding, large vegetation fires, significant earthquakes or civil unrest occur they can stress, disrupt, or even cause complete failure to most or all of the systems that city residents rely upon. Disruptions of this scale are considered disasters and require a concerted effort to coordinate a multi-agency response to restore a sense of normalcy.
That is precisely what EM does. At the core of its mission, it is a desire to support and coordinate efforts of the field level response and inform key stakeholders about the incident. This coordination happens in the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). By managing information and resources the EOC can provide operational support to they can carry out their tactical strategies to respond to the disaster. Likewise, the EOC provides a clear picture of the incident so elected officials and policy makers can make informed strategic decisions.
The Office of Emergency Management provides EM services to the City of Temecula through the provision of an Emergency Manager. The EM is responsible for the development of the City’s disaster plans, disaster training and exercise program and oversight of the City’s EOC. City staff will play an important role in the development and implementation of the City’s EMP through participation in the planning process, obtaining training, participating in exercises and by filling key positions in the City’s EOC as a member of the Incident Management Team (IMT). Each and every City Employee has a part in ensuring Temecula is able and ready to respond to whatever disaster may occur.
Facilitate Emergency Partnerships
Serve as the liaison to county, regional, state, federal, volunteer, and private partners in order to prepare for and effectively respond to and quickly recover from all-hazards type events.
Enhance Response Coordination
Coordinate and implement a wide range of activities to ensure adequate and timely response to significant events. In the event of a major emergency, OEM activates and manages the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC). When activated, the EOC becomes the coordination hub from which app emergency planning, resource management and allocation and continuity of operations activities are accomplished. This role is designed to support the needs of the responders in the field and to aid the city in its recovery efforts.
Training and Exercises
OEM coordinates the emergency training, simulations and exercises necessary to prepare first responders, city agencies and partners to carry out their identified mission, roles and responsibilities as outlined in the City's EOP. OEM is responsible for the design, development, and the facilitation of training and exercise execution in order to validate emergency response plans and procedures.
Facilitate Public Education and Community Outreach
OEM coordinates and conducts public emergency management outreach and education programs to increase awareness on emergency preparedness. From safety fairs and HOA meetings to annual Preparedness Fair activities, OEM promotes preparedness initiative to improve family emergency planning, business continuity planning, volunteerism, and disaster resistance and recovery.
Homeland Security Grants
Oversee the City's Department of Homeland Security and state domestic preparedness grant programs. In addition, OEM is the lead office for management of FEMA Public Assistance reimbursements.
Manage Emergency Alert and Notification Systems
In conjunction with the Public Information Officer, OEM notifies emergency responders, city employees, private partners and residents in the event of an emergency that may affect or impact public safety. Registration on Temecula ALERTS allows resident to choose what type of alerts they would like to receive and how they would like to receive them making Temecula ALERTS an accessible alerting system for the whole community.