County outlines emergency-preparedness upgrades after 2023 snowstorm; board receives grand jury response

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to receive the county’s formal response to the San Bernardino County Grand Jury’s 2024 final report on the February 2023 snowstorm, adopting a record of actions and planned changes to emergency operations.

The response, presented to the board by Chryssante Gonzalez, director of the county Office of Emergency Services, lists equipment purchases, organizational changes and training updates intended to address gaps identified by the grand jury.

Gonzalez told the board that the storm “tested San Bernardino County’s preparedness, revealing critical challenges in public communication, agency coordination, and the Emergency Operations Center’s ability to sustain a cohesive operating plan.” She said the county has converted those lessons into concrete steps including securing…