Committee advances $231,000 state grant to train 200 disaster‑core volunteers

The committee advanced an ordinance authorizing the Department of Emergency Management and Fire Department to retroactively accept and expend a $231,000 grant from California Volunteers to fund disaster volunteer management and training.

A DEM/Fire Department representative (identified in the record as Versha) told the committee the grant would fund training to the state’s Disaster Corps level for about 200 people, cover comprehensive background checks, materials and supplies, and support one Planner I FTE responsible for coordinating training and background checks. She said the grant’s scope is limited to enhanced Disaster Corps training and cannot be used to supplant existing NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team) training.

Supervisors questioned long‑term sustainability; management said that if the program proves successful they would seek ongoing funding through additional state or homeland security grants and expected to apply for further grants to continue the position. Committee members also asked how San Francisco was selected; staff said San Francisco is one of five jurisdictions chosen (citing Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside and Orange County as other examples) and likely the only Northern California jurisdiction selected.

The committee moved to accept the item with recommendation and forward it to the full Board.