About Us

The mission of Monterey County Department of Emergency Management is to excel at providing quality services for the benefit of Monterey County residents, businesses, and guests while developing, maintaining, and enhancing the emergency management resources in the Operational Area.

Function

The function of the Department of Emergency Management is to coordinate all emergency preparedness, response and recovery functions and responsibilities as necessary to carry out the direction of the Board of Supervisors and the provisions of Chapter 2.68 of the County Code. The County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management is responsible for the following:

• Ensure all phases of emergency management are addressed in strategic planning efforts, building the core capabilities and disaster resilience within the communities of Monterey County;
• Organizing, staffing and operating the Op Area Emergency Operations Center;
• Provide information and guidance to the public and elected officials including emergency warning and alerting;
• Provide resource management inventories of critical assets, supplies and equipment necessary to support emergency response and recovery operations;
• Reviewing and maintaining internal and external emergency operations plans and preparedness programs for the Operational Area;
• Ensure that emergency planning follows state and federal guidance;
• Identifying and analyzing potential hazards and recommending appropriate mitigation measures;
• Conduct on-going emergency preparedness and educational campaigns; and
• Serving as the emergency management point of contact for government officials, public safety, organizations, nonprofit and community based organizations, city, county and private industry partner and stakeholders.

Organization

In Fiscal Year 2023-2024, the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services fully transitioned to the Department of Emergency Management. By the end of the calendar year, the department was fully staffed by ten (10) full-time and one (1) part-time dedicated professionals with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise.

History of the Department

2023 -The Monterey County Office of Emergency Services transitioned from a division of the County Administrative Office to a standalone department in 2023.

2022 - The Monterey County Department of Emergency Management was established Tuesday, December 7, 2022 by the Board of Supervisors and was unanimously carried; thus proposing an ordinance amending Chapter 2.68 of the Monterey County Code to create the Department of Emergency Management under the authority and direct supervision of the County Administrative Officer effective January 1, 2023.

1995 - The County of Monterey, and subsequently the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services, was established as the Operational Area Authority, the unified emergency management authority of the Operational Area. The Operational Area Coordinating Council was established at this time with the purpose of developing general and specific administrative and operational policies that would govern the operation of the Operational Area issues and activities.

1990 - The Monterey County Office of Emergency Services was established Tuesday, June 5, 1990 upon approval by Supervisors Strasser Kauffman, seconded by Supervisor Shipnuck, and unanimously carried, thus proposing an ordinance amending Chapter 2.68 of the Monterey County Code to create the Office of Emergency Services under the authority and direct supervision of the County Administrative Officer.

1977 - The Monterey County, Code of Ordinances, Title 2 - Administration, Chapter 2.68 - Emergency Procedures and Organization, was ratified by the Board of Supervisors in 1977 establishing the County’s commitment to civil defense and community preparedness.

1974 - As early as 1974, the County Administrator was charged with the authority of the Director of Civil Defense for the County Monterey.

1946 - The Monterey County Disaster Council was Accredited by the California State Disaster Council on December 19, 1946 in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 1024, Statutes 1945, and Chapter 104, Statutes 1946, 1st Extraordinary Session.