San Diego supervisors approve plan to strengthen regional emergency response after January storms

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 22 approved a package of measures aimed at strengthening regional emergency preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery after severe January storms. The board’s action follows public comment from residents and community groups who described service gaps during the flood response and urged better coordination with local organizations.

Chairwoman Nora Vargas framed the item as a community‑centered initiative managed by the Office of Emergency Services (OES), which coordinates alerting, agency notification and regional response. She said the January storm produced $30,800,000 in verified damages and disproportionately affected long‑underinvested communities, and thanked staff and partners who responded.

Jeff Toney, the county’s director of OES, outlined four themes from a staff memo responding to 70 recommendations: readiness and multi‑year training, unified public information, expanded community resources and increased coordination with volunteers and community‑based organizations. Toney said OES plans a multi‑year training and exercise plan, more translated and pre‑scripted public messaging, a website and app redesign, expanded as‑needed contracts for transportation and food vendors, mutual‑aid agreements with cities and other jurisdictions, and greater visibility and training for CBOs and disaster volunteers.

Multiple residents and callers spoke during public comment. Catherine Rhodes urged the board to allow more City of San Diego residents access to Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) certification rather than limiting training to city staff. Doctor Critical Truth Bey and other callers pressed for transparency about federal and state funding flows and for improved long‑term recovery supports. Jesse Robas and other special‑district representatives called for equitable support to independent fire and EMS districts.

Supervisors acknowledged that some recommendations have already been implemented administratively, that others require board action or additional resources, and that staff will phase staffing changes for recovery and community divisions through the county’s operational and five‑year forecasting processes. The board approved the item unanimously and directed staff to continue community engagement and return with items that need additional direction or funding.

The vote closes this phase of the board’s review; staff will implement items that do not require board action and return with more detailed proposals and budget impacts where necessary.