14.4 Disaster Prep

Sacramento is notorious for being susceptible to wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat conditions. The city of Sacramento has the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) who specifically handles all disaster related issues.  The OEM coordinates communication, plans preparedness, responds, and plans for recovery projects in the event of a disaster. There is a subdivision named the Emergency Operations Center (OEC). The OEC is run by city personnel and first responders. They also coordinate a Crisis Action Team (CAT) to facilitate the city-wide response. There is a staff member that specifically coordinates with other jurisdictions in the case extra help is needed.  There is also an emergency alert system called the Wireless Emergency Alert System (WEA) that coordinates with all cell phone carriers so that people will receive an alert on their phone. In the case one cannot reach a phone, cell phone issues, etc. you can actually sign up to receive alerts via landline or computer (There is SacramentoAlert.org). The 4 principles of Emergency Management that Sac County abides by is mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Sacramento is one of the readiest cities in California when it comes to storm readiness. The website has a household emergency management plan laid out for all visitors that gives step by step instructions on what to do in case of a disaster. The EOM works with local energy companies like SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District) and PG&E. At the federal level the city partners with FEMA.