NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – State Sen. Mike McGuire’s landmark legislation setting statewide emergency alert protocols and regulation has been approved with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of the State Senate.
“California is facing a new normal, the size and scope of wildland fires are getting worse. Lives depend on the Legislature and Governor taking swift action to ensure statewide emergency alert standards are adopted, training for local emergency managers is implemented and we invest in a more proactive and effective mutual aid response system. The safety of our communities depends on it,” Sen. McGuire said.
The legislation, B 833, was introduced by Sen. McGuire, along with joint authors, Senators Bill Dodd and Jerry Hill, and principal co-authors Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Marc Levine and Jim Wood.
It will create statewide emergency alert standards for the first time in history for all of California’s 58 counties.
SB 833 will establish and mandate statewide emergency evacuation alert protocols for the first time in California history using the federal integrated public alert and warning system, or IPAWS, as the backbone.
The legislation will also mandate annual training for local emergency managers on how to best utilize the software and how to deploy alerts, require that alerts be sent out via landline telephones and mobile phones along with other communication mediums including radio, television and electronic highway billboards.
The North Bay Firestorm destroyed more than 6,000 homes, scorched more than 170,000 acres, caused billions in damage, and resulted in the death of more than 40 residents.
“The night of October 8 changed the lives of North Bay residents forever, when tens of thousands of residents were caught unaware that a massive wildland fire was about to engulf their home or business, because they did not receive an emergency alert,” Sen. McGuire said. “While there are hundreds of harrowing stories of bravery that night, regrettably, thousands of residents never received a warning.”
SB 833 was approved by the State Senate with a 39 to 0 vote. The bill now heads to the State Assembly for approval. The bill is supported by California Professional Firefighters, California Fire Chiefs, RCRC, the League of Cities and many others.
McGuire emergency alert legislation passes State Senate
- Lake County News reports
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