"Nothing is more essential to our state than protecting our people. And nothing is more crucial for our government than doing everything possible to reach that goal," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in a release. "We must plan for the inevitable. I have a simple rule -- those who fail to plan, plan to fail. I will not let that happen in this state."
Schwarzenegger called for the Legislature to pass a bill to create a new California Department of Public Health (CDPH). He also issued an executive order to expedite the delivery of services during an emergency and to create a new work group to coordinate emergency response between public and private sectors.
The creation of a state public health department was included in the California Performance Review and recommended by the Little Hoover Commission. According to the release, Legislative action would be needed to reorganize the current California Department of Health Services (CDHS) and create the CDPH. The administration has been working closely with Senator Deborah Ortiz, Sacramento, and Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata, Oakland, to reach agreement on SB 162 (Ortiz), which is currently pending in the Assembly Health Committee. The new department, headed by the State Public Health Officer, would be responsible for programs addressing chronic disease, communicable disease, drinking water, emergency preparedness and the safety of food and drugs. The proposed reorganization would occur through existing resources and impact approximately 5,700 employees who work in 240 programs in the current CDHS. If approved by the Legislature, the reorganization would take effect on July 1, 2007.
"We saw what happened in New Orleans when there were not enough supplies, equipment and services to help victims. We don't want to see that in California. This will allow the state to have transportation, water, food, clothing and shelter ready to help victims who desperately need our help in the event of a disaster," said Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger yesterday also joined fifth grade students from San Francisco's KIPP Bayview Academy to assemble disaster preparedness starter kits, equipped with emergency items such as flashlights, batteries and first aid supplies.
"State government is taking steps to prepare, but everyone has a role in preparedness. It's important that every family, every business and every school also have their own emergency plan," said Governor Schwarzenegger.
The Governor has taken significant actions to improve California's emergency preparedness, including:
- Secured more than $1 billion in federal funds to improve homeland security and enhance public health.
- Allocated $67 million in State Homeland Security Grant Funds to first responder resources in every county.
- Signed legislation that makes California party to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
- Facilitated the training of over 100,000 California first responders.
- Allocated more than $25 million to enhance fire protection in California through more staff and new equipment, fire engines, and communications technology.
