Preparedness and Communications

The Lafayette City Council is expected at Monday’s meeting to ask the California Public Utilities Commission to require PG&E to reimburse it for power shutoff-related emergency and overtime costs.

Lawmakers passed laws requiring identification of poor evacuation routes in residential areas built in hazard zones, and increased funding to update the 911 system and reduce the kinds of vegetation that fueled the Camp Fire.

A truly comprehensive crisis management plan must incorporate crisis communications. While most organizations communicate during crises, much of it happens during the event without clear strategy and communications protocols.

At one point, there were more than 9,000 lookout towers in the United States, placed atop hills and mountains where individuals — also referred to as lookouts — worked alone each summer to watch for and report fires.

“Resiliency and mitigation is a larger part of this bill than similar bills we’ve taken up,” said Rep. Chuck McGrady, a Hendersonville Republican, who later characterized the effort as a “pivot.”

Traditionally, preparedness planning efforts have been defined and driven by those with privilege, namely socio-economic privilege. Privilege that many reading this article possess, without being consciously aware of it.

PG&E’s chief meteorologist said this weekend could bring the strongest winds of the fire season, perhaps even stronger than two weeks ago, when PG&E cut off nearly 750,000 customers in Northern and Central California.

Customers in three counties were among 189,000 businesses and homes that could be affected in what would be the second widespread blackout this month in California. That number decreased from 201,000.

Previous outages angered some customers who said the shutoffs created new hazards by preventing people from getting news about fires. There was also concern about those with health issues who rely on electric equipment.

Pittsburg County has an updated plan for a coordinated response to various disasters, such as earthquakes or wildfires. Included in the plan are provisions for the Swiftwater Rescue Team and Search and Rescue Team.

Penn State’s online geospatial intelligence program gives managers hands-on experience leveraging spatial tools and data to determine how to deploy first responders to hard-hit areas.

Work continues to implement an early warning system to county residents about potential dangers, prepare for next year's Republican National Convention in Charlotte and deal with potential domestic terrorist threats.

Between June and early October, PG&E carried out four power shut-offs. The largest — and most criticized — was Oct. 9-12, affecting 738,000 customers in 35 counties radiating out from the Sacramento area.

The Great Oregon ShakeOut helps ensure people statewide are ready for an earthquake and know where to go and how to recover. More than 720,000 people signed up online to take part in the drill that lasted about a minute.

In Northern California, earthquakes have the potential to disrupt more than buildings. Water supply and infrastructure has also been significantly damaged in the past when major quakes have struck.