EXTREME TEMPERATURE RESPONSE PLAN
An Annex to the State Emergency Plan
(Includes Guidance for Local Government)
Gavin Newsom
Governor
Mark Ghilarducci
Director
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
May 2022
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Letter of Promulgation
May 2022
To: Heads of All State Agencies, Boards, Departments, and Offices
Heads of City and County Governments
The State of California is one of the most diverse areas in the world. This is
reflected not only in our communities but also in our weather. Weather in
California has always been highly variable in terms of precipitation,
temperature, magnitude and severity of storms, and wind events. With
increasing climate change and the severity of prolonged heat and cold
emergencies, it is incumbent on all of us to be prepared to respond to protect
our communities, especially older adults, individuals with disabilities, and people
with access or functional needs who are at a higher risk of negative outcomes
from extreme temperatures.
As the Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, I am
charged with executing this Extreme Temperature Response Plan which supports
the State Emergency Plan. This plan communicates how state government
mobilizes and responds to extreme high and low temperatures in coordination
with partners at the National Weather Service, all levels of government, tribal
nations, the private sector, non-profit, and community-based organizations. This
plan also provides guidance and checklists to assist local efforts. I request that
all political subdivisions of California take the necessary steps to carry out the
provisions of this plan within their jurisdictions for the protection of all residents.
Sincerely,
MARK S. GHILARDUCCI
Director
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Record of Changes
The most current copy of this annex, including any changed pages, is
available through the Planning and Preparedness Branch of the California
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services at 3650 Schriever Avenue, Mather,
CA 95655. Copies are also available on the Planning and Preparedness
Branch web page under the Plans and Publications banner..
Change # Date Summary of Changes
1
6/13/2022
Updates to CA Dept. of Developmental Services’
facility terms.
2
8/31/2022
Updated CA ISO Emergency Notifications.
3
9/2/2022
Updates to access and functional needs, updates to
Cal OES web links.
4
5/9/2023
Updated National Weather Service terminology for
HeatRisk. Added information on California’s electric
balancing authorities. Updated program descriptions
for CDFA and CDSS.
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Executive Summary
This plan is an annex to the State Emergency Plan.
The plan describes state operations during an extreme temperature warning
and provides guidance for state agencies, local governments, tribes, and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) in preparation for their heat and
cold/freeze response plans and other related activities. It was created by
combining and updating the 2013 Contingency Plan for Extreme Cold/Freeze
Emergencies, as well as the 2014 Contingency Plan for Excessive Heat
Emergencies.
The plan establishes best practices for local governments through guidance and
checklists and recognizes that some local agencies may already have a system
for managing extreme temperatures. It is the intent of this plan to assist local
efforts and to better coordinate their efforts with those initiated by state
agencies. More information regarding best practices for local governments can
be found in Appendix B: Local Government Guidance.
The plan utilizes the National Weather Service (NWS) experimental forecast
product HeatRisk, which provides daily guidance on potential heat risks. This risk
is assessed by comparing the official NWS temperature forecast to local
thresholds which change through the year based on climatology. More detailed
information about this product can be found in Appendix C: National Weather
Service Products.
The plan recognizes the need to:
• Communicate and coordinate between state agencies and local
government.
• Mobilize resources and initiate actions in advance of local requests.
• Support the local government’s actions according to the Standardized
Emergency Management System (SEMS).
The plan contains the following information:
• A description of the purpose and scope of the plan.
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• Background information including the history of extreme
temperature-related declared emergencies in the state and other parts
of the nation.
• Descriptions of the conditions triggering each phase of this plan.
• The responsible state agencies and their actions during different phases of
the plan.
• Guidance for local agencies to help plan and coordinate efforts during
extreme temperatures (See Appendix B: Local Government Guidance -
Roles and Responsibilities).
• Appendices of supporting information.
The plan recognizes three (3) phases of activation:
• Phase I - Seasonal Readiness
• Phase II - Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert
• Phase III - Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
These phases are activated based on the severity of the risk of extreme
temperatures. This plan considers individuals who are at greater risk for serious
illness from extreme temperatures, individuals with an access or functional need,
the general population, as well as animals and livestock. The direct involvement
of state and local agencies to protect individuals increases with the severity of
the risk.
This plan contains specific actions to be taken by the state in each of the three
phases. The specific action steps include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Coordinating among state and local agencies (All phases).
• Disseminating information (All phases).
• Preparing cooling or warming centers to support local response efforts
(Phase II).
• Activating cooling or warming centers (Phases II and III).
• Directly contacting and monitoring those at risk (Phases II and III).
• Transporting those at risk to cooling or warming centers (Phases II and III).
• Governor’s Proclamation of a State of Emergency (Phases III).
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Table of Contents
Letter of Promulgation.................................................................................................... i
Record of Changes ....................................................................................................... iii
Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... v
1.0 Purpose and Scope .............................................................................................. 11
Purpose ..................................................................................................................... 11
Scope ....................................................................................................................... 11
2.0 Background ........................................................................................................... 11
Impact of Extreme Heat ......................................................................................... 12
Impact of Extreme Cold/Freeze ............................................................................ 13
Climate Change ..................................................................................................... 14
3.0 Assumptions........................................................................................................... 15
4.0 Roles and Responsibilities .................................................................................... 17
5.0 State Concept of Operations ............................................................................... 25
Extreme Heat Event ................................................................................................. 26
Extreme Cold/Freeze Event .................................................................................... 27
6.0 State Activation Phases ........................................................................................ 29
Phase I - Seasonal Readiness ................................................................................. 29
Phase II - Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert ...................................................................... 29
Phase III - Extreme Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning ................................................ 31
Key Decisions ........................................................................................................... 32
Critical Information Requirements ......................................................................... 33
7.0 Recovery ................................................................................................................ 35
Public Assistance .................................................................................................. 35
Individual Assistance ............................................................................................ 35
Assistance Centers ............................................................................................... 37
Agricultural Recovery ............................................................................................. 37
Appendix A: State Department/Agency Activation Actions ................................. 39
Phase I - Seasonal Readiness ................................................................................. 39
Phase II - Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert ...................................................................... 46
Phase III - Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning ............................................................... 58
Appendix B: Local Government Guidance.............................................................. 71
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Guidance - Roles and Responsibilities ................................................................... 71
Local Government Checklists ................................................................................ 71
Local Guidance for Phase I - Seasonal Readiness ............................................... 71
Local Guidance for Phase II - Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert .................................... 76
Local Guidance for Phase III - Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning ............................ 78
Appendix C: National Weather Service Products .................................................... 81
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)/National Weather Service
Information ............................................................................................................... 81
National Weather Service HeatRisk ....................................................................... 81
Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) ............................................................................... 86
National Weather Service Wind Chill Temperature ............................................. 87
Notification ............................................................................................................... 88
Appendix D: Resources and Supplies for Preparedness and Response ............... 89
Extreme Temperature Warning Resources and Supplies..................................... 89
Heat Resources and Supplies ................................................................................. 90
Cold/Freeze Resources and Supplies .................................................................... 90
Appendix E: State Dissemination of Public Information .......................................... 91
Seasonal Approach ................................................................................................ 91
Outreach by State and Local Departments/Agencies....................................... 92
Free Media ............................................................................................................... 92
Partnerships .............................................................................................................. 92
Speakers Bureau ...................................................................................................... 93
Joint Information Center Activation ...................................................................... 93
Appendix F: Health Information and High-Risk Populations ................................... 95
Symptoms of Heat Exposure ................................................................................... 95
Symptoms of Cold/Freeze Exposure ...................................................................... 95
High Risk Populations and Individuals with Access or Functional Needs ........... 96
Appendix G: Animal Vulnerabilities in Excessive Temperatures............................ 99
Animals in the Extreme Heat .................................................................................. 99
Animals in Extreme Cold/Freeze .......................................................................... 100
Livestock and Poultry in the Heat ........................................................................ 101
Livestock and Poultry in the Cold ........................................................................ 102
Livestock and Poultry Mass Fatality ..................................................................... 102
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Appendix H: The Electrical Grid and the California ISO ........................................ 103
Electric Power Load Shedding ............................................................................. 104
Appendix I: Cooling or Warming Center Checklist ............................................... 105
Appendix J: Infectious Disease and Cooling/Warming Centers.......................... 107
Utility Assistance ..................................................................................................... 107
Staff and Volunteers .............................................................................................. 107
Physical Distancing ................................................................................................ 108
Air Filtration ............................................................................................................. 108
Cleaning ................................................................................................................. 109
Communication .................................................................................................... 109
Prevention Supplies ............................................................................................... 109
Appendix K: Authorities ............................................................................................ 111
Appendix L: Definitions ............................................................................................. 113
Appendix M: Acronyms List ..................................................................................... 123
Appendix N: Helpful Resources and Web Site References ................................... 127
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1.0 Purpose and Scope
Purpose
The Extreme Temperature Response Plan is a hazard-specific plan that supports
the State Emergency Plan (SEP), and outlines actions the State of California may
take in support of state agencies and local government when an extreme
temperature is anticipated or has occurred. It incorporates lessons learned from
previous extreme temperature responses and current best practices for state
and local governments.
Scope
This plan was developed to guide emergency management planning and
response to a heat wave or a cold/freeze event in the State of California. It is
flexible, scalable, and may be used during a response to a heat wave or a
cold/freeze event of any severity. This plan focuses on the state’s response in
supporting state agencies, Operational Areas (OAs), and local government.
Additionally, it provides guidance to local governments during their planning
and preparedness, response, and recovery.
An extreme temperature (hot or cold) is defined as environmental temperatures
(high or low) that are often slower to develop, taking several days of continuous,
oppressive extreme temperatures before a significant or quantifiable impact is
seen. Traditionally, extreme temperatures do not strike victims immediately, but
rather have cumulative effects that, over time, negatively impact the lives of
older adults, individuals with disabilities, and anyone with an access or
functional need. Extreme temperatures may also negatively impact pets,
livestock, and agricultural crops.
2.0 Background
California’s climate is one of the most diverse in the world, ranging from the
freezing temperatures of Bodie State Park that records nearly 300 days of
temperatures below 32°F per year, to Death Valley which records around 100
days of temperatures of 99°F or above per year. These two extreme differences
in climate illustrate why California’s residents and businesses must plan, prepare,
respond, and recover with great regard for the temperature.
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Impact of Extreme Heat
According to the NWS, heat waves are defined as a period of abnormally and
uncomfortably hot and unusually humid weather, typically lasting two or more
days. Heat waves normally coincide with little overnight cooling/relief. Heat
waves do not cause damage or elicit the immediate response that floods, fires,
earthquakes, and other disasters do. They do, however, rank among the
deadliest of natural hazards and claim many more lives when compared with
other disasters.
The worst single heat wave in Southern California for loss of life occurred in the
summer of 1955 when an eight-day heat wave resulted in 946 deaths. In early
July 2006, a heat wave incident killed 141 individuals in California and caused
crop damages more than $180 million and $583 million in other losses. This
terrible incident tested the emergency management system in California in new
ways and led to many recommended improvements to California's emergency
management system to reduce loss of life in future heat wave events. In
comparison, other types of disasters such as earthquakes and fires have caused
fewer deaths. For example, the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake resulted in 63
deaths, while the 1992 Northridge Earthquake was responsible for the loss of 55
lives. The catastrophic 2003 Southern California firestorms resulted in 24 deaths
and the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County resulted in 85 deaths.
The California Climate Adaptation Strategy, citing a California Energy
Commission study of the San Diego region, states that over the past 15 years,
heat waves have claimed more lives in California than all other declared
disaster events combined. Despite this history, however, few heat events were
proclaimed at the state level or declared as a federal disaster between 1960
and 2009. Though no formal explanation exists for this seeming contradiction,
scholars have written about the exclusion of heat events as declared disasters.
Klinenberg, author of an account of a heat wave that killed 739 individuals in
the Chicago area in July 1995, suggests that the hidden nature of social
vulnerability, combined with the inconspicuous nature of heat events (unlike
earthquakes, floods, wildfires, tornados, etc.), prevent them from being
declared as legitimate disasters. Further, an evaluation of hospitalizations in
California found that heat events in cooler months (due to less acclimatization
to heat) and those with above average humidity resulted in greater health
impacts.
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According to Safeguarding California: Reducing Climate Risk, an update to the
2009 California Climate Adaptation Strategy, it is anticipated that extreme heat
events in urban centers such as Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino
could cause two to three times more heat-related deaths than occurred in
2006. Additionally, Safeguarding California notes that urban areas are more
likely to experience heat island effects.
A heat island is an urban area having a higher average temperature than its
rural surroundings due to the greater absorption, retention, and generation of
heat by its buildings, pavements, and human activities. According to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, daytime temperatures in urban areas are on
average 1-6° F higher than in rural areas, while nighttime temperatures can be
as much as 22° F higher as the heat is gradually released from buildings and the
pavement. The concentration of heat in urban areas enhances the formation of
air pollutants, especially ozone, and the raised nighttime temperatures limits the
ability of people to cool down before the heat of the next day, increasing the
risk of illness and fatalities.
The frequency and intensity of heat waves are expected to increase globally,
threatening human and animal health, especially among older adults,
individuals with disabilities, and anyone with an access or functional need
including individuals who are economically challenged, persons with chronic
illnesses, and people experiencing homelessness. Current literature indicates
that individuals with access or functional needs are disproportionately impacted
by all disasters, including weather related events. In addition, the literature also
indicates that emergency preparedness plans, heat health warning systems,
and related interventions may not be reaching or supporting individuals with
access or functional needs in meaningful ways that change behavior among
those at the highest risk during a heat wave.
Impact of Extreme Cold/Freeze
Extreme cold/freezing temperatures are generally defined as sustained
temperatures at or below freezing for an extended period. Extreme cold/
freezing temperatures, although not as prevalent in the State of California as
heat waves, still pose a real danger to life, property, and agriculture.
From December 1998 to mid-January 1999, freezing conditions caused damage
to the Central Valley citrus crop. The freeze affected citrus workers and growers.
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Agricultural damages were valued upwards of $130 million. According to the
Seattle Times, in December 2006, a severe windstorm and freezing temperatures
to the Pacific Northwest left eight dead and up to one million individuals without
power. Desperate for warmth, some individuals used barbeques inside their
homes for heat which resulted in deaths caused by carbon monoxide
poisoning. Additionally, the Associated Press reported that Colorado and
several Midwest states experienced extreme freezing and ice storms causing
massive power disruptions and a death toll of at least 46 individuals in seven
states. More recently, in late December 2021, extreme snowfall and
cold/freezing temperatures across California caused power outages in over
109,000 households: some for up to seven days. This resulted in multiple counties
opening and maintaining warming centers for a prolonged period.
Although infrequent, freezes can severely affect California agriculture. Freezing
temperatures occurring during winter and spring growing seasons can cause
extensive crop damage. Secondary impacts of freeze disasters can include
major economic impacts to farmers, farm workers, packers, and shippers of
agricultural products and may cause substantial damage to various crops that
may lead to significant increases in food prices for the consumer due to
decreases in supply. A six-day period of freeze in December 2013 caused more
than $440 million in damage to citrus crops. Citrus crops tend to be the most
vulnerable to freeze and they accounted for a vast majority of reported
damages between 1972 and 2016.
Climate Change
Globally, California leads in efforts to avoid the worst effects of climate change
by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Still, the impacts of climate change are
already being felt in California and are disproportionately impacting older
adults, individuals with disabilities, and people with access or functional needs
throughout the state.
The accelerating rate of climate change in this century will likely exceed that
experienced by California’s native populations over past millennia. These
changes reveal that the state’s 117 years of weather-related record-keeping
can lead to significant underestimates as predictors of future weather-related
events (Science Advances). California’s climate is changing, as indicated in the
California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment’s (OEHHA) 2022
report, Indicators of Climate Change in California. Responsible agencies must
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continue to plan for and take action to address current and future climate
impacts.
The state relies on a comprehensive climate adaptation strategy that includes
science planning, tools, funding, and collaboration to prepare for a changing
climate and to create a more resilient California. The Adaptation Planning
Guide (APG), State Adaptation Strategy, California Fourth Climate Change
Assessment, and Cal-Adapt are key pieces of the comprehensive climate
framework. Additional, up-to-date, climate change information and tools are
kept on the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research Resilient California
website. This information equips planners, practitioners, policymakers, and
decision-makers with data, background, funding options, and cutting-edge
tools that visualize and model regional impacts from changes in temperature,
sea-level rise, precipitation, and wildfire.
3.0 Assumptions
The following assumptions should be considered:
• Climate change may increase the extremes in temperature not only in
the summer and winter months but throughout the year.
• Weather conditions often vary greatly from one geographic region to
another.
• Different climates exist across the state and persons are acclimated best
to the climate in which they live and work.
• Local governments are the first responders in emergencies and request
mutual aid through the established process under SEMS when necessary.
• The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) will
primarily rely on the OAs to determine the activation levels at which
specific mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities will be
undertaken in their jurisdictions.
• The state may initiate specified actions independently but will
communicate and coordinate those actions with local government.
• Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution grids are
impacted by the increased loads resulting from heat or cold/freezing
temperatures.
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• Power disruptions may occur simultaneously as extreme temperature
incidents, thus increasing the risk to life safety, critical infrastructure, and
the environment.
• Extreme temperatures are potentially life-threatening to people, pets, and
livestock.
• Extreme temperature incidents may restrict public gatherings and require
some public facilities to be used as temporary respite areas.
• Individuals with access or functional needs are disproportionately
impacted and at higher risk for serious illness and negative impacts from
extreme temperatures.
• Individuals experiencing homelessness may need immediate
transportation to and from cooling/heating centers, temporary sheltering,
and wraparound services during extreme temperatures.
• Extreme heat may result in an increase in water rescues/recoveries.
• The majority of California is a Mediterranean climate which may increase
the population’s vulnerability to a cold snap.
• Sustained temperatures below freezing in California’s generally mild
weather regions can cause disproportionate loss of life, increased
suffering, and health risks to older adults, individuals with disabilities, and
individuals with access or functional needs.
• Extreme cold/freezing temperatures may result in an increase in ice falls
and cold-water drownings.
• Heavy ice/snowfall accumulation may result in the collapse of roof
structures, power lines, and other infrastructure.
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4.0 Roles and Responsibilities
State departments/agencies with lead and support roles named in this section,
while responding to extreme temperatures, should act in accordance with
agency and departmental delegated authorities and emergency response
plans, policies, and procedures. All state response efforts are coordinated
through the State Operations Center (SOC), Department Operations Centers
(DOCs), and with OA Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs).
Associated tasks and departmental responsibilities depicted below are in
addition to those identified in the State Emergency Plan and are not a
comprehensive list of every task.
State Department/Agency Responsibility
CA State Warning Center (CSWC)
• Statewide emergency alert and warning
notifications.
• Disseminate watches and warnings
through statewide communications
networks.
• Collect situational updates from OAs.
Cal OES Situation Cell
• Clarify and define weather forecast with
the National Weather Service.
• Coordinate among all partners to gather
situational awareness for report
development.
• Develop and disseminate the Situation
Cell Weather Outlook and/or Situation
Cell Incident Report.
• Facilitate state coordination conference
calls, as needed.
• Continually analyze the weather event
for changes in duration or impacts.
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State Department/Agency Responsibility
Cal OES Response Operations
and Affected Administrative
Regions
• Emergency management - all Incident
Command Systems (ICS)/SEMS/National
Incident Management System (NIMS)
functions - recovery programs.
Cal OES Office of Access and
Functional Needs (OAFN)
• Identify and integrate the needs of older
adults, individuals with disabilities, and
persons with access or functional needs
within the state's emergency
management systems.
• Provide guidance and technical
assistance to emergency managers,
planners, community-based
organizations, and whole community
stakeholders for planning, disaster
response, and recovery.
Cal OES, Office of Crisis
Communications and Public
Affairs (OCCPA)
• Responsible for all public
communication, education, and media
relations during response, recovery, and
in preparation for disasters and
emergencies.
CA Department of Food and
Agriculture (CDFA)
• Animal (livestock and domestic) health
services and biosecurity.
• Coordinate California Animal Response
Emergency System (CARES) during
disasters.
• Food safety and security measures.
• Provide information and assistance for
Agricultural Commissioners and growers.
• Assist in coordinating animal mortality
needs and carcass disposal.
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State Department/Agency Responsibility
CA Department of Aging (CDA)
• Provide information and assistance for
older adults, adults with disabilities, and
caregivers.
CA Employment Development
Department (EDD)/ Workforce &
Labor Development Agency
• Disability Insurance, Paid Family Leave,
Unemployment Insurance, Disaster-
Related Services, tax collection, and
workforce services.
CA Department of Public Health
(CDPH)
• Oversee statewide public health disaster
planning and Medical and Health
Coordination Center.
• Public health programs.
• Provide guidance on extreme
temperature impacts to public health.
• Provide hospitalization and heat injury
data.
CA Division of Occupational
Safety and Health
(Cal/OSHA)
• Educate workers and employers on heat
illness prevention.
• Investigate worker heat-related illnesses
and fatalities.
• Ensure employer compliance with
California’s heat illness prevention
regulation through targeted inspections.
• Coordinate with Public Information
Office to issue hazard alerts.
• Develop strategic outreach initiative for
annual heat illness prevention media
campaign.
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State Department/Agency Responsibility
CA Department of Social Services
(CDSS)
• California Work Opportunity and
Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) - cash
aid and services (including immediate
need)
• CalFresh (including expedited service
and/or Disaster CalFresh benefits).
• Emergency Food Assistance Program
(EFAP).
• Coordinate state resources in support of
local government.
• Community Care Licensing Division
(CCLD) Responsible for the health and
safety of persons in care in licensed
facilities.
• Coordinate Mass Care and Shelter
during disasters.
CA Emergency Medical Services
Authority (EMSA)
• Emergency medical care.
• Provide disaster medical services if
needed.
• Provide Medical Health Operational
Area Coordinators (MHOAC) and
Regional Disaster Medical Health
Specialists (RDMHS).
• Review pre-hospital services as
appropriate.
CA Military Department
(Cal Guard)
• Logistical support of armories.
• Provide Cal Guard Troop resources.
• Provide the SOC with available resources
list during disaster (e.g., portable water
storage, desalinization apparatus, etc.).
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State Department/Agency Responsibility
CA Department of
Developmental Services (DDS)
• Provide communication and assistance
to regional centers and state operated
facilities, who provide direct services and
assistance to people with access or
functional needs.
• Advise Cal OES on the needs of people
with access or functional needs.
CA Department of Health Care
Services (DHCS)
• Oversee Medi-Cal.
• Provide Crisis Counseling (regular and
immediate).
CA Department of Rehabilitation
(DOR)
• Provide communication and assistance
to individuals with access or functional
needs.
CA Department of State Hospitals
(DSH)
• Provide treatment, care, and security for
hospital in-patient psychiatric
population.
• Ensure support and care for patients
receiving treatment in DSH programs.
CA Department of Transportation
(Caltrans)
• Multimodal transportation coordination.
• Transportation infrastructure.
CA Business, Consumer Services,
and Housing Agency (BCHS)
• Loan guarantees for farm and
agriculture related enterprises.
CA Department of Housing and
Community Development (HCD)
• Housing programs.
CA Department of Community
Services & Development (CSD)
• Community Services Block Grant (CSBG),
Low Income Home Energy and
Household Water Assistance Programs
(LIHEAP/LIHWAP), Low Income
Weatherization Program (LIWP), and
other programs designed for individuals
and households with low-income.
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Commission
Responsibility
CA Agricultural Labor Relations
Board
• Provide interpreters and mobile
resources for agricultural workforce.
CA Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC)
• Aid California utility customers.
• Regulate utilities, including during
emergencies and extreme weather
events.
Utilities
Responsibility
Investor Owned/Publicly Owned
Utilities
• Provide low-income energy assistance.
• Alert customers of potential power
disruptions.
• Support customers impacted by power
disruptions.
• Assist customers who are dependent on
power for life sustaining medical devices
and other individuals with access or
functional needs through various
programs.
Electric Balancing Authority*
Responsibility
CA Independent System
Operator (ISO)
•
Operates an electrical transmission
control area.
• Matches power generation and needs
to maintain consistent electricity, even
during extreme weather or disasters.
• Largest balancing authority in California,
managing 80% of the state’s electric
load.
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Electric Balancing Authority*
Responsibility
Other California Balancing
Authorities:
• Balancing Authority of Northern
California (BANC)
• Los Angeles Department of
Water & Power (LADWP)
• Imperial Irrigation District (IID)
• Turlock Irrigation District (TID)
• Western Area Power
Administration, Lower Colorado
(WALC)
• PacifiCorp West
• NV Energy
• Each authority operates an electrical
transmission control area.
• Matches power generation and needs
to maintain consistent electricity, even
during extreme weather or disasters.
• These authorities together manage 20%
of the state’s electric load.
* See California Electric Balancing Authority Areas Map for specific coverage areas and details.
Non-Governmental Agency
Responsibility
American Red Cross (ARC)
• Care and shelter services during and
after disasters.
• Post-disaster financial assistance, if
approved.
California Foundation for
Independent Living Centers
(CFILC)
• Communicate and connect with the
Independent Living Centers (ILC) and
other access and functional need
service providers.
California Southern Baptist
Convention (SBC)
• Provide mass feeding units for shelters.
• Recovery assistance after disasters.
The Salvation Army
• Care and shelter services during and
after disasters recovery assistance.
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Non-Governmental Agency
Responsibility
Voluntary/Community-Based
Organizations
•
Provide immediate and unmet needs
such as food, shelter, clothing,
mortgage, and rental assistance.
Federal Agency
Responsibility
US Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Farm Service Agency
• Provide Emergency Loan Program for
farmers’ and ranchers’ crop production
and physical losses.
US Department of Health and
Human Services
• Assists response to an actual or potential
public health and medical disaster or
incident.
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
• Provide Disaster Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (D-SNAP).
US Small Business Administration
(SBA)
• Provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans
(EIDL) available to small, non-farm
businesses; small agricultural
cooperatives; and most private, non-
profit organizations of any size.
Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)
• Aid post-disaster.
• Coordinate Crisis counseling program.
• Direct federal assistance if approved.
US Department of Labor
• Provide resources for and manage
employment programs.
National Weather Service (NWS)
• Provide weather, water, climate data,
forecasts, and warnings to protect life
and property.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 25
5.0 State Concept of Operations
The state operations described in this plan will be activated at the direction of
the Cal OES Director. Local operations are generally activated according to
local plans, policies, and procedures.
This plan may be activated during any of the following three phases:
• Phase I - Seasonal Readiness
• Phase II - Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert
• Phase III - Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
These phases are activated based on the severity of risk to the general
population including older adults, individuals with disabilities, and others with
access or functional needs, as well as animals. The direct involvement of state
and local governments is to protect individuals as the severity of risk increases.
The specific actions identified by the state departments/agencies in each of the
phases are described in Appendix A: State Department/Agency Activation
Activities. In addition to the actions described, the state may provide
supplemental support to local activities during any of the three phases.
All state actions should be coordinated with the affected local governments,
through the affected regions, and the local coordination links used by key state
departments/agencies. It is essential that the affected local governments and
all the key state departments/agencies are informed of actions taken during
Phase II and Phase III by the state. It is equally important for the state to be
apprised of local actions. These communications are facilitated through the
Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) functions, the affected
regions, activated EOCs, Cal EOC reports (online) at the region and SOC, and
by phone calls, texts, and various other notifications to constituents. To see a list
of local government actions, refer to Appendix B: Local Government Guidance.
During extreme temperatures, the Director of Cal OES may advise the Governor
on local activities and needs. SOC activations may be enhanced as needed. The
Director may convene key state agencies to identify any executive actions the
Governor should be advised to take to alleviate the situation, including the
proclamation of a state of emergency, potentially before a local emergency
declaration is made. To see a list of local government actions, refer to Appendix
B: Local Government Guidance.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 26
Extreme Heat Event
When temperatures spike for three or more consecutive days without an
adequate drop in nighttime temperature to cool the outdoor and indoor
environments, there is a significant increase in the risk to older adults, individuals
with disabilities, and people with access or functional needs. Therefore, the
definition of a heat wave will consider both daytime maximum temperatures
and nighttime maximum low temperatures.
Any individual, regardless of age, race, sex, or health status can develop heat
stress if engaged in intense physical activity and/or exposed to environmental
heat (and humidity). Physiological mechanisms maintain the core body
temperature (i.e., the operating temperature of vital organs in the head or
trunk) in a narrow optimum range around 98°F. When core body temperature
rises, the physiologic response is to sweat and circulate blood closer to the skin's
surface to increase cooling. Over a period of one-to-two weeks, exposure to
conditions that elevate body temperature, along with physical activity, and/or
environmental heat results in a process of physiological adaptation or
acclimatization. When acclimatized, the body produces more dilute sweat, and
heart rate and body temperature increase less than when not acclimatized.
Current best practices are to utilize the climate-region-specific criteria, also
known as HeatRisk, detailed in Appendix C: National Weather Service Products.
When NWS forecasters predict a heat wave for a given region, the NWS will issue
alerts in the form of a Partner Email, Watch, or Warning. The product choice is
based on how far in advance of the event they are making the prediction.
Specifically:
• A Partner Email is issued three to seven days in advance of a heat wave
to give advance notice of the possibility of excessively hot conditions.
Forecast temperatures are anticipated to be in line with those necessary
to issue an Excessive Heat Warning. If predicted weather conditions
continue to hold, a Partner Email may become an Excessive Heat Watch.
• An Excessive Heat Watch is issued 36-48 hours prior to an event to give
advance notice of the possibility of excessively hot conditions. Criteria
match those of an Excessive Heat Warning.
• An Excessive Heat Warning is issued 0-36 hours prior to an excessive heat
event that is expected to last two days or more.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 27
State-level planning efforts are based on NWS products. Heat-related
preparation and response activities should be carried out in consultation and
coordination with state agencies, Cal OES Regions, and OAs that are impacted
using the State Activation Phases as guidelines to determine the most
appropriate level of state response. All state communication will be delivered
using accessible platforms and formats.
Extreme Cold/Freeze Event
The NWS has regionally specific packages of weather products. California’s
specific weather products are as follows:
• Frost Advisories - These are generally issued during the late fall and again
in the spring through May. No frost advisories are needed after a hard
freeze in the fall. Multiple frost advisories may be issued for an area since
each incidence of frost may be significant to certain growers. The
important frost periods are the following:
o First frost in the fall for an area to catch the “killing frost”.
o Any frost once the bud stage has started for fruits and stone fruits
(nuts).
• Freeze/Hard Freeze Watches - A Freeze Watch is issued when there is a
potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next
24-36 hours.
• Freeze/Hard Freeze Warnings - These are issued when significant,
widespread freezing temperatures are expected.
These weather products are generally confined to the active agricultural areas.
This is roughly the area below about 2,000 feet. Geographically, this includes the
entire Central Valley and lower foothills, the Delta, and the area near Clear
Lake. Frost results from the external freezing of water, and because frost is
primarily formed by radiational cooling, it may occur when temperatures are
above 32°F. Refer to Appendix C: National Weather Service Products for more
information.
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6.0 State Activation Phases
State-level planning efforts are based on NWS products. Preparation for extreme
temperatures and response activities should be carried out in consultation and
coordination with state agencies, Cal OES Regions, and impacted OAs.
The following phases are guidelines to determine the most appropriate level of
response:
Phase I - Seasonal Readiness
Phase I actions are taken in the hotter months for extreme heat (May through
August) and in cooler months for extreme cold/freezing (November through
February) to prepare for and maintain a state of increased readiness.
Phase I actions may include the following:
• Orientation and training of plans and procedures.
• Review of existing plans, procedures, and resources.
• Verification of use/availability of key facilities and resources.
• Updating/validating alert and warning notification processes.
• Initiating public awareness campaigns through various media outlets.
For the complete list of Phase I actions see Appendix A: State Agency Activation
Actions. For a helpful list of resources and supplies to prepare for extreme
temperatures refer to Appendix D: Information Resources for Preparedness and
Response. For information on public information refer to Appendix E: State
Dissemination of Public Information.
Phase II - Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert
Phase II actions are taken because of credible predictions by the NWS of
excessive heat, cold, or of power disruptions during abnormal weather
conditions. During this phase, contact with local agencies and coordination
among state agencies increases. Location of the extreme temperatures may
affect the triggering of this phase. For example, extreme heat in the
southeastern portions of the state during the hotter months would be normal.
If watches and warnings are extended for more than three days or nights this
does not automatically initiate Phase II of the plan.
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Phase II actions may be initiated when one or more of the following exists or at
discretion of the Cal OES Director:
• NWS issuing a Cold or Freeze Warning indicating extreme cold or hard
freeze for three days or more.
• Issuance of an Excessive Heat Warning with three nights or more with poor
overnight recovery.
• NWS issuing an Excessive Heat Watch that lasts for five or more days
consecutively.
• The credible prediction of power disruptions, Public Safety Power Shutoffs,
or rotating blackouts (e.g., CA ISO Energy Emergency Alert 3, notifications
from another electric balancing authority) during periods of high heat or
cold weather.
• Notification(s) from an OA(s) that the jurisdiction is issuing a special notice
(warning, alert, etc.).
• An abnormal animal mortality rate or loss of agricultural crops associated
with an extreme temperature.
Phase II actions may include the following:
• An initial coordination call among the key state departments/agencies
and the potentially affected OAs and regions.
• Conduct additional coordination calls as needed with weather and
power updates.
• Increasing public information efforts to include conducting outreach to
community-based organizations, whole community stakeholders, and
access and functional needs partners to brief on the situation and provide
initial recommended actions.
• Contacting local public health and other officials to encourage contact
with individuals at high risk during extreme temperatures.
• Confirming roles and identifying specific local needs.
• Confirming details of agency participation and staffing.
• Stand-by and activation (if needed) of state-owned facilities as cooling or
warming centers.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 31
For the complete list of Phase II actions see Appendix A: State
Department/Agency Activation Actions. For helpful information on the health
effects of extreme temperatures on both humans and animals see Appendix F:
Health Information and High Risk Populations and Appendix G: Animal
Vulnerabilities in Excessive Heat or Cold/Freezing Temperatures.
Phase III - Extreme Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Phase III actions are taken when conditions in one or more OAs pose a severe
threat, when one or more of the following exists, or at the discretion of the Cal
OES Director:
• Notification from an OA that one or more jurisdictions have proclaimed an
emergency related to extreme temperatures.
• NWS extreme cold/freeze warnings or wind chill warnings indicate
weather conditions of extreme cold/freeze conditions that endanger
human life with credible weather forecasts of more than three
consecutive days. These weather conditions include low daytime
temperatures accompanied by night temperatures of 32°F, or less.
• NWS issues excessive heat warnings that indicate heat that can endanger
human life with credible weather forecasts of three consecutive days or
more. These weather conditions include temperatures at or above record
levels for daytime highs and overnight lows.
• Higher than normal medical emergencies and mortality due to extreme
temperatures.
• Higher than normal animal mortality rates due to extreme temperatures.
• Energy notifications from an electric balancing authority (e.g., CA ISO
Energy Emergency Alert) and/or extended power disruptions during
expected extreme temperatures.
Phase III actions include the following:
•
Coordination calls will increase as needed.
•
Engage with state and local programs, including housing and
homelessness programs.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 32
•
Coordinating with local jurisdictions to ensure accessible transportation is
being provided for individuals with access or functional needs, including
individuals experiencing homelessness, to and from cooling/warming
centers.
•
Activation of the SOC as needed.
•
Coordinating requests for mutual aid and state assistance in accordance
with SEMS.
•
Mobilizing warming or cooling centers if requested.
•
The Governor may proclaim a State of Emergency in the affected area.
For the complete list of Phase III actions see Appendix A: State
Department/Agency Activation Actions.
For information on power disruptions, see Appendix H: The Electrical Grid and
CAISO. Also see Appendix I: Cooling or Warming Center Checklist and Appendix
J: Infectious Disease and Cooling/Warming Centers for helpful information
supporting the operation of cooling and warming centers.
Key Decisions
Key state decisions to consider during an extreme temperature emergency
include the following:
• Activating the Medical and Health Coordination Center (MHCC).
• Activating the SOC.
• Activating the AFN/Priorities Population Task Force, if appropriate.
• Scheduling and coordination of conference calls.
• Identifying state assets that can be used as cooling/warming centers.
• Opening and staffing of cooling/warming centers.
• Prioritizing resource allocations.
• Proclaiming an emergency and/or requesting a federal disaster
declaration, if appropriate.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 33
Critical Information Requirements
The following is critical information required during an extreme temperature
emergency:
• Accurate weather forecasts as well as accurate list of impacted areas.
• Information on impacted areas and populations with access, functional,
medical, or other needs.
• Cooling/warming center locations, times of operation, and instructions.
• Backup power generation capabilities of cooling/warming centers and
critical facilities.
• Any Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) or unplanned power disruptions
affecting the impacted area(s).
• Local transportation resources including accessible paratransit services.
• Impacts to critical facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes.
• Food and agricultural information of the affected areas relative to the
impact of extreme temperatures.
• Agricultural damage estimates and significant economic impacts of the
extreme temperature emergency.
• Requests/needs for state assistance.
• Status of local and/or state proclamations.
• Identification of state priorities.
• Identification and integration of local/OA and state priorities and
supporting objectives (communicated at all levels).
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7.0 Recovery
Cal OES responds to and aids in the recovery from emergencies under the
California Emergency Services Act (ESA), the California Disaster Assistance Act
(CDAA), the federal Stafford Act, and other disaster related legislation. Cal OES
aids local governments, special districts, tribal nations, certain nonprofit
organizations, individuals, businesses, and agricultural communities impacted by
disaster(s).
Public Assistance
Extraordinary emergency costs (such as overtime or equipment rental) incurred
by local government in response to an extreme temperature-related disaster
may potentially be recovered (on a cost share basis) under the California
Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) when the Governor has proclaimed a State of
Emergency. Eligible costs may include the extra costs related to establishing
cooling or warming centers, staffing the EOCs, renting generators, air
conditioners, or heaters for the emergency sheltering effort, emergency public
information costs, fatality management costs, and overtime costs for police,
fire/rescue, and medical activities directly related to extreme temperatures.
Additionally, funding can be provided (on a cost-share basis) to repair publicly
owned facilities or infrastructure if damaged by the extreme temperatures. This
includes damaged transformers and other electrical equipment owned by a
public utility.
If the response and repair costs meet federal thresholds, the Governor may
request, through FEMA, a Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster, opening
federal funds for these same applications under the Stafford Act. The federal
Emergency Repair Program of Federal Highways Administration may be
independently activated so highways in the Federal Aid System can be covered
for heat or cold damage.
Individual Assistance
In response to severe economic impacts in a disaster area, the Recovery
Individual Assistance (IA) Section works closely with a variety of local, state, and
federal agencies to identify recovery programs that may potentially be able to
assist individuals, businesses, and farmers. Some of the departments/agencies
the IA Section coordinates with are:
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 36
• CA Employment Development Department (EDD)
Disability Insurance, Paid Family Leave, Unemployment Insurance, Disaster
Unemployment Assistance, Tax Collection, and Workforce Services.
• CA Department of Community Services and Development (CSD)
Community Service Block Grants (CSBG) - Low-Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP), migrant worker programs, and various other
grant assistance.
• CA Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
Crisis Counseling Immediate Services Program and Crisis Counseling
Regular Program.
• CA Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Purchase of emergency services and support, via local regional centers,
to protect the health and safety of persons with developmental
disabilities.
• CA Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
Funds may be redirected through local housing authorities to assist with
housing needs.
• CA Department of Social Services (CDSS)
CalWORKs cash aid and services (including immediate need) and
CalFresh (including expedited service and/or Disaster CalFresh benefits)
food commodities programs.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Emergency Loan Program for farmers and ranchers for crop production
and physical losses and other direct assistance through special legislation.
Food and Nutrition Service, D-SNAP.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) available to small, non-farm
businesses; small agricultural cooperatives; and most private, non-profit
organizations of any size.
• Voluntary and Community-Based Organizations
Immediate and unmet needs such as food, shelter, clothing, mortgage,
and rental assistance.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 37
Assistance Centers
Assistance centers may be set up to provide information and assistance to
disaster survivors. If the centers are opened, Cal OES Public Information Officer
(PIO) will support local PIOs in issuing press releases to request the media to
make the information on assistance centers available and conduct outreach
through local government and community-based organizations.
Agricultural Recovery
Agricultural damage assessments may be conducted to determine if a request
should be submitted to the USDA to approve a disaster designation making
available emergency loans for physical production losses to eligible applicants
who conduct family-sized farming operations. Following a natural disaster
designation by the USDA Secretary, the SBA makes Economic Injury Disaster
Loans (EIDL) available to small, non-farm businesses; small agricultural
cooperatives; and most private, non-profit organizations of any size. Assessments
will also be made to determine if a presidential disaster declaration may be
requested to access disaster unemployment insurance or crisis counseling
programs.
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Appendix A: State Department/Agency Activation Actions
The following tables describe the activities that should be taken by state
departments/agencies during the three phases of this plan.
Phase I - Seasonal Readiness
Seasonal readiness begins annually in May as the warmer months approach
for extreme heat and in November as colder months approach for extreme
cold/freeze.
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase I – Seasonal Readiness Activities
Key State Response
Departments/Agencies
• Review their own procedures and resources to
identify any capabilities, gaps, issues, or problems.
• Collaborate to identify any anticipated state-wide
needs or problems.
• Coordinate with power balancing authorities (e.g.,
CA ISO) and municipal utilities to determine power
availability.
CA State Warning
Center
• Establishes link with NWS for weather alerts, watches,
and warnings.
Cal OES Situation Cell
•
Maintain situational awareness with weather
forecasts.
• Clarify and define weather forecast with the National
Weather Service.
• Conduct outreach to regions to gather information
on actions taken by counties.
• Develop and disseminate Situation Cell Weather
Outlook as needed and include a plan assessment
detailing/clarifying current phase.
• Analyze plan and make recommendations of actions
to be taken and possible phase movement.
• Facilitate an initial coordination call and periodic or
daily calls as needed among the key state
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 40
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase I – Seasonal Readiness Activities
departments/agencies and the potentially affected
OAs and regions with weather and power updates.
Cal OES Response
Operations and
Affected Administrative
Regions
• Cal OES review the Extreme Temperature Response
Plan.
• Coordinate to determine the readiness and
availability of resources.
• Initiate communication with key state
departments/agencies.
• Coordinate with Cal OES Office of Crisis
Communications and Public Affairs (OCCPA) to post
seasonal readiness campaign material on the Cal
OES website and other various media sources.
• Coordinate with the Office of Access and Functional
Needs (OAFN) to review guidance and best
practices, and review contract needs for AFN
community.
• Contact OAs to determine what seasonal efforts are
in place at the local level.
• Facilitate Mutual Aid Regional Advisory Committee
(MARAC) presentations by NWS.
Cal OES Office of Crisis
Communications and
Public Affairs (OCCPA)
• Prepares general media statements to increase
awareness of the risk from extreme temperatures for
the general public, including older adults, individuals
with disabilities, and anyone with access or functional
needs.
• Promotes CA Health and Human Services Agency
(CHHSA) seasonal readiness campaign material;
including a reminder to the AFN community to
identify their local paratransit/transportation providers
that would be used in emergencies or disasters.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 41
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase I – Seasonal Readiness Activities
• Coordinates any ongoing seasonal preparedness
media campaign information about the risk from
extreme temperatures and ways to mitigate effects.
• Issues pre-scripted tips to media outlets, local
government through SEMS, websites, service clubs,
associations, NGOs, volunteer organizations, and
faith-based organizations.
• Leverages social media channels to amplify
messaging.
CA Department of Food
and Agriculture (CDFA)
• Reviews NWS watches and warnings and advises
Cal OES of any potentially serious agriculture or
livestock issues.
• Identifies a Public Information Officer (PIO) to
coordinate emergency public information with
Cal OES.
• Identifies potential fairgrounds/facilities for use as
cooling or warming centers.
• Provides animal removal, disposal, and rendering
information.
• Provides guidance to local Agricultural
Commissioners.
• Coordinate to determine the readiness and
availability of resources.
CA Department of
General Services (DGS)
• Provides Cal OES with an updated list of state facilities
that could be used for cooling or warming centers.
• Provides vendors for air conditioners, generators, and
other warming/cooling supplies and equipment.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 42
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase I – Seasonal Readiness Activities
CA Employment
Development
Department (EDD)
• Provides Cal OES OCCPA information related to
assistance programs that will be available in
excessive heat conditions as applicable to farm
workers and related businesses whose workers may
lose employment due to the weather conditions.
• Prepares to respond to possible increase in
unemployment resulting from extreme temperature
emergencies.
CA Department of
Education (CDE)
• Notifies schools to review school procedures and
practices for measures schools should take in extreme
temperature emergency conditions.
CA Environmental
Protection Agency
(CalEPA)
• Maintains the Emergency Animal Disposal Guidance.
CA Department of
Public Health (CDPH)
• Identifies a PIO to coordinate emergency public
information with Cal OES.
• CDPH Licensing and Certification (L&C) monitors
extreme temperature-related unusual occurrences
reported by long term care facilities in affected areas
until they are resolved and provides the reporting
process long-term care facilities must follow to report
any unusual occurrence related to the extreme
temperature and for any facilities to report problems
with information on caring for patients/residents
during extreme temperature conditions.
• Provides information regarding cooling/warming
center operations during a pandemic event, as
needed.
• Coordinates with partner agencies to determine the
readiness and availability of public health resources.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 43
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase I – Seasonal Readiness Activities
CA Division of
Occupational Safety
and Health (Cal/OSHA)
• Continues multilingual heat illness prevention media
campaign using radio, billboards, wallboards, and
social media.
• Reaches out to and educates employees, employers,
and community-based organizations about the
hazards of heat exposure and the methods to protect
workers from heat illness and comply with the Heat
Illness Prevention regulation.
• Reviews and updates Heat Illness Prevention Special
Emphasis Program and provides training to staff on
any program changes.
• Compile’s statistics and prepares reports summarizing
heat inspection data.
CA Department of
Social Services (CDSS)
• Disaster Services Branch (DSB) - Monitors the situation
with the American Red Cross and the Department’s
internal and local partners.
• Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) – Releases
and communicates extreme temperature-related
information and tips to licensees through mass-emails
and a “robocall system”; posts information on the
CCLD website; and includes in licensing quarterly
updates. Request’s provider and advocacy
organizations to include the information in their
newsletters and other communications to licensees.
• CCLD - During annual visits, including but not limited
to those conducted by tele-visits and virtual video
conferencing, reviews facility emergency and
disaster plans to ensure that they are current and
includes the required content for emergencies and
disasters.
• Adult Programs Division (APD) – County In-Home
Supportive Services/Adult Protective Services
(IHSS/APS) programs follow the instructions in the All-
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 44
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase I – Seasonal Readiness Activities
County Letter (ACL) issued by CDSS APD regarding
their action to be taken in extreme temperature-
related events and emergencies. Each county uses
their targeted list to contact those individuals
identified as the most at-risk group in their IHSS/APS
population.
CA Emergency
Medical Services
Authority (EMSA)
• Disseminates hazard-related information to regional
and local medical partners.
• Prepares to provide medical assistance upon request
to support local medical system needs.
• Coordinates with partner agencies to determine the
readiness and availability of resources.
• Coordinates with the RDMHSs and MHOACs.
CA Department of
Developmental
Services (DDS)
• Quality assurance system ensures that state operated
facilities emergency preparedness plans are
reviewed, updated, and sufficient to address the
needs of all possible emergencies and disasters.
• Contract requirements for regional center’s
emergency preparedness plans are monitored for
compliance.
• Notifies community-based programs serving people
with developmental disabilities regarding any status
changes and monitor their status.
CA Department of
Health Care Services
(DHCS)
• While on-site for annual facility reviews or conducting
virtual site visits, Mental Health Licensing Section
(MHLS) analysts ensure that the Mental Health
Rehabilitation Centers (MHRC) and Psychiatric Health
Facilities (PHF) Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
Plans are reviewed, updated, and sufficient to
address the needs of all possible emergencies and
disasters.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 45
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase I – Seasonal Readiness Activities
As a best practice, the Substance Use Disorder
Licensing and Certification Section (SUDLCS)
recommends that Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD)
residential and outpatient programs maintain Disaster
and Emergency Preparedness Plans. While on-site for
biennial facility reviews or conducting virtual site visits,
SUDLCS analysts ensure that these Disaster and
Emergency Preparedness Plans are reviewed,
updated, and sufficient to address the needs of all
possible emergencies or disasters.
• While on-site for annual facility reviews or conducting
virtual site visits, Counselor and Medication Assisted
Treatment Section (CMATS) analysts ensure that the
Narcotic Treatment Program (NTP) Disaster and
Emergency Protocols are reviewed, updated, and
sufficient to address the needs of hazards,
emergencies, and disasters.
• Ensures ongoing updates to the NTP Facilities
emergency contact information as programs modify
their contact information.
• Maintains and update current telephone numbers of
County Behavioral Health Directors Association of
California (CBHDA).
CA Department of
Rehabilitation (DOR)
• While on-site for biennial facility reviews or conducting
virtual site visits, Driving Under the Influence Licensing
Section (DUILS) analysts discuss the program’s
established protocols for addressing possible hazards,
emergencies, and disasters
• Notifies community-based organizations serving
people with disabilities.
• Remains available to advise Cal OES on potential
issues and needs of the community.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 46
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase I – Seasonal Readiness Activities
CA Department of State
Hospitals (DSH)
• DSH emergency preparedness management staff
review the Cal OES Extreme Temperature Response
Plan and communicates with employees about
preparation for heat/freeze conditions and offers
useful safety tips/resources, as necessary.
Phase II - Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert
Phase II actions may be taken when a heat or cold/freeze alert is issued by the
NWS or at the discretion of the Cal OES director when extreme temperature is
predicted for an OA or power disruptions occur during abnormal weather
conditions.
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase II Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert Activities
National Weather
Service (NWS)
• The NWS sends extreme temperature watch
notifications to CSWC.
• Coordinates partner emails and calls.
CA State Warning
Center (CSWC)
• Notifies Cal OES, CDPH, and EMSA Duty Officers, the
Cal OES Regional Administrators, the Governor’s
Office, and executive staff that the NWS has issued a
statement indicating likely extreme temperatures.
Cal OES Situation Cell
• Develops and disseminates Situation Cell Incident
Reports to Cal OES executives, Duty Officers, and
state department/agency partners.
• Conducts outreach to state departments/agencies
outlined in Phase II for a roll-up on their activities for
the event.
• Continues to work with Administrative Regions to
provide actions taken by counties.
• Continues to clarify and define weather forecasts with
the NWS.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 47
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase II Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert Activities
• Continually analyze the weather event for changes in
duration or impacts.
Cal OES Response
Operations and
Affected Administrative
Regions
• Disseminates the scope of the alert to the OAs.
• Determines the current situation, readiness, and
availability of potentially needed resources.
• Coordinates with local governments to determine if
supplemental support to local activities will be
requested.
• Cal OES Region contact OA emergency managers in
affected areas daily for updates.
• Initiates the daily conference calls and reports with
key state response departments/agencies.
• Schedules conference calls once daily concerning
weather, electrical power, and situational status.
• Coordinates public information efforts with OCCPA.
• Stands-by to activate the SOC as needed.
• Develops staffing patterns as necessary.
• Briefs the Governor’s Office and state senior
leadership daily.
• Identifies gaps in contacts, especially with older
adults, individuals with disabilities, anyone with access
or functional needs, community-based organizations,
community stakeholders, cooling/warming centers,
and accessible transportation resources.
• Tasks state departments/agencies to augment local
cooling/warming centers in the affected area and
identifying available non-state fairground facilities to
utilize in support of local government.
• Contacts local emergency management, EMSA
contacts local emergency medical, and CDPH
contacts local public health offices to determine the
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 48
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase II Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert Activities
adequacy of accessible transportation for older
adults, individuals with disabilities, and anyone with
access or functional needs.
• Responds appropriately to all requests for assistance.
• Cal OES Law Enforcement Branch coordinates with
county coroners’ offices to track mortality data.
• Cal OES Law Enforcement Branch coordinates
security for state cooling/warming centers, if
necessary.
Cal OES, Office of
Access and Functional
Needs (OAFN)
• Ensure communication access (e.g., ASL services and
world language translation) at cooling/warming
centers.
• Notifies community-based organizations serving
people with AFN regarding any status changes and
advises on potential issues and needs of the
community.
• Works with partners to supports physical and
programmatic accessibility at all shelters and
cooling/warming centers.
• Provides guidance to whole community partners and
advises stakeholders on appropriate measures to take
in the extreme temperature warning conditions.
• Works with community partners and stakeholders to
identify and address unmet needs.
• Provides best practices, technical assistance, and
guidance.
• Supports governmental partners via accessibility
related contracts to support operations.
Extreme Temperature Response Plan
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 49
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase II Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert Activities
Cal OES, Office of Crisis
Communications and
Public Affairs (OCCPA)
• Releases critical pre-scripted and public safety
information.
• Distributes the extreme temperature emergency
pre-scripted educational materials to the impacted
OAs and Cal OES Regional Administrators.
• Considers scheduling press briefings to ensure the
public is kept informed concerning actions underway
and assistance available.
• Issues needed materials focused on older adults,
individuals with disabilities, and anyone with access or
functional needs with links to local resources.
• Cal OES, CDPH, and EMSA Public Information Officers
(PIOs) are notified and briefed by their respective
duty officers. In coordination with other identified
state agencies, considers issuing joint press releases.
• Requests other state department or agency PIOs and
Cal OES Regional Administrators to distribute to the
impacted OAs the following:
o Distributes extreme temperature-related
educational materials.
o Provides information on state-operated
cooling/warming centers.
• Notifications by Cal OES and/or CDPH, EMSA, and
Cal/OSHA to specific businesses and sport venues,
outdoor public events, with specific risk reduction
guidance.
• Notifications by Cal OES and/or CDPH strongly
encouraging community agencies to check on older
adults, individuals with disabilities, and anyone with an
access or functional need, known to the county, or
served by the county-run programs, including but not
limited to the following:
Extreme Temperature Response Plan
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 50
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase II Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert Activities
o Single Resident Occupancy (SRO) buildings.
o Neighbors, those living alone, children,
individuals with high medical risk, individuals
living alone, and individuals with access or
functional needs.
CA Department of Food
and Agriculture (CDFA)
• Identifies state owned fairground facilities to be used
for cooling/ warming centers if requested by
Cal OES, including non-state-owned fairgrounds for
use, if needed.
• Activates cooling/warming centers (state owned
fairgrounds) if requested by Cal OES in support of
local governments.
• Conducts outreach to agricultural commissioners and
growers if significant agricultural impacts expected.
• Provides guidance on livestock animal disposal.
CA Department of
Aging (CDA)
• Instructs local Ombudsman programs to report to
CDA any complaints from skilled nursing or residential
care facilities which they receive related to
temperature conditions in the facility or health and
safety issues related to the extreme temperatures.
• Advises all CDA contractors of the extreme
temperature warnings; public health alerts being
issued; and the availability of heat tip sheets that are
available on the Cal OES, CDPH, and CDA websites
for dissemination.
• Requests CDA contractors to report to CDA any
shortages of supplies and equipment that contractors
encounter due to extreme temperatures.
• Instructs CDA contractors to continue to provide
them with updated temperature-related information
until the extreme weather condition ends.
Extreme Temperature Response Plan
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 51
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase II Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert Activities
CA Department of
General Services (DGS)
• Provides a list of state facilities that could be used for
cooling/warming centers.
CA Employment
Development
Department (EDD)
• Provides access to EDD Individual Assistance for
Unemployment. (This program is available on regular
basis.)
• Anticipates the possible need for providing access to
Insurance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance
(funded by Department of Labor through EDD in the
case of a presidential disaster declaration) and take
preparatory actions as appropriate to the situation.
CA Department of
Education (CDE)
• Notifies schools to review procedures and practices
for measures schools should take in extreme
temperatures.
CA Environmental
Protection Agency
(CalEPA)
• Maintains the Emergency Animal Disposal Guidance.
CA Department of
Public Health (CDPH)
• Disseminates information specific to the extreme
temperatures to local health departments via
conference calls and/or the California Health Alert
Network (CAHAN) and, in coordination with EMSA,
disseminate information specific to the heat alert
event to the Medical and Health OA Coordinators
(MHOACs), Regional Disaster Medical Health
Specialist (RDMHS), and Local Emergency Medical
Services Agencies (LEMSAs) via conference calls
and/or CAHAN.
• Contacts and coordinate via conference calls and
CAHAN with local health departments, CDPH
executive staff and programs (e.g., Licensing and
Certification, Emergency Preparedness Office (EPO),
and the Office of Public Affairs (OPA).
• CDPH’s L&C notifies Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and
Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF).
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 52
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase II Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert Activities
• CDPH’s L&C monitors heat or cold-related unusual
occurrences reported by long term care facilities in
affected areas until they are resolved.
• CDPH/EMSA MHCC Operations/EPO Duty Officer
collects Public Health and Medical situation reports
from local health departments in affected areas.
• CDPH’s L&C provides the reporting process long term
care facilities must follow to report any unusual
occurrence related to the extreme temperatures and
any facilities that report problems with information on
caring for patients or residents during extreme
temperatures.
• CDPH, EMSA, and Cal OES, through the RDMHS,
contact local emergency management, local
emergency medical, and local public health offices
to determine potential unmet needs for older adults,
individuals with disabilities, and anyone with access or
functional needs.
• Provides information regarding cooling/warning
center operations during a pandemic event, as
needed.
CA Division of
Occupational Safety
and Health (Cal/OSHA)
• Ensures all routes through which complaints may be
filed are constantly monitored, including, but not
limited to, walk-ins, phone, fax, emails, and referrals
from other units.
• Responds to complaints about unsafe workplace due
to high heat conditions.
• Ensures that all reports of suspect heat
illnesses/fatalities are investigated as soon as feasible.
• Holds bi-weekly heat calls from May through
September to review past and upcoming activities,
Extreme Temperature Response Plan
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 53
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase II Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert Activities
obtain feedback on operations, review heat illness
and fatality cases, and provide ongoing instruction.
• Notifies management and Public Information Office
when the NWS has issued a statement indicating likely
extreme temperatures.
• Works with the Public Information Office to issue heat
illness prevention reminders.
CA Department of
Social Services (CDSS)
• DSB - Monitors the extreme temperature situation with
the American Red Cross and the Department’s
internal and local partners.
• DSB - Coordinates with internal partners’ Extreme
Temperature Response Plan responsibilities and
ensure that the Department reports out all necessary
information.
• DSB - Identifies staffing to assist local government with
cooling or warming center/shelter operations when
local resources can no longer meet staffing needs, in
accordance with SEMS.
• CCLD - Monitors any unusual heat or cold/freeze-
related occurrences or emergencies reported by
community care licensees and aids as needed.
• CCLD - During site visits, tele-visits, virtual video
conferencing, and other interactions, encourages
licensees in the affected geographic areas to
implement extreme temperature-related tips to
protect persons in care, such as: making sure persons
in care are hydrated and remain in air-conditioned
interior spaces during peak hours of heat or when the
weather is coldest, provide adequate heating and
ensure persons in care have weather appropriate
supplies (e.g., blankets). Remind licensees to consult
extreme temperature-related information and tips
posted on the CCLD website as necessary.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 54
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase II Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert Activities
• CCLD - As necessary, during other site visits, tele-visits
or virtual video conferencing, reviews facility
emergency and disaster plans to ensure that they are
current and include the required content for
emergencies.
• APD - Considers issuing an electronic alert to county
welfare directors, public authorities, and county
IHSS/APS program managers instructing them to
implement their individual county plans or protocols
to help ensure the safety of their most at risk IHSS/APS
recipients/consumers.
• APD - CDSS posts extreme heat weather or
cold/freeze advisory tips/information. CDSS APD
prepares to forward this information to each county,
the CA Association of Public Authorities (CAPA), and
the California Welfare Directors Association (CWDA)
when an extreme temperature alert is issued.
• EFAP - Establishes communications with the local food
banks to assess any increased participation rates.
• EFAP - Provides additional food to the food banks
when necessary and available.
• CalFresh - CalFresh (including expedited service,
individual replacements, and/or Disaster CalFresh
benefits) food commodities programs
• CalWORKs - cash aid and services (including
immediate need)
CA Emergency Medical
Services Authority
(EMSA)
• Communicates EMSA’s activities to executive
management and CHHSA.
• Coordinates with CDPH information dissemination to
local public health officers/departments, the
MHOACs, Regional Disaster Medical Heath
Coordinators (RDMHCs), RDMHS, and LEMSAs.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 55
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase II Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert Activities
• Maintains communications with RDMHSs, MHOACs,
and LEMSAs to identify potential needs for medical
assistance to local government. Coordinates with
CDPH and CDSS for medical support needed in
support of local or state shelters.
• Tracks hospitalization and weather injury data through
Local Emergency Medical Services Agencies.
CA Department of
Developmental Services
(DDS)
• Ensures that all regional centers and state operated
facilities are alerted to any heat or cold/freeze
advisories and/or warnings and alerts that impact
their geographic area.
• Regional centers and state operated facilities
implement various procedures to protect the health
and safety of residents and staff, including, but not
limited to the following:
o Curtails or suspends outdoor activities.
o Closes training sites that lack air conditioning or
that lack adequate heating.
o Provides for alternate activities for residents in air
conditioned or heated areas.
o Provides extra fluids, sunscreen, and modified
clothing.
o Adjusts employee work schedules to avoid
strenuous assignments during afternoon heat.
o Distributes reminders to staff regarding
precautionary measures.
o Initiates contact with their community
emergency preparedness networks to identify
cooling or warming sites and resources for
assisting persons to access those sites if needed.
o Initiates contact with service providers and
consumers who live independently to provide
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 56
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase II Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert Activities
them with information about precautionary
measures for protecting the health and safety of
consumers and staff, identification of
cooling/warming sites, and other pertinent
information.
CA Department of
Health Care Services
(DHCS)
• DHCS Licensing and Certification ensures that all
MHRCs and PHFs are alerted to any heat advisories
and/or warnings and alerts that impact their
geographic area.
• DHCS Licensing and Certification ensures that host
counties Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) of MHRCs
and PHFs are alerted to any heat advisories and/or
warnings and alerts that impact their geographic
area and will request the MHP monitor and provide
appropriate assistance to the facility under their
jurisdiction as needed.
• DHCS Licensing and Certification provides heat-
related tips/information to all MHRCs and PHFs.
Specifically, DHCS Licensing and Certification will
request all providers of MHRCs and PHFs to implement
numerous procedures to protect the health and
safety of residents and staff, including but not to be
limited to:
o Provides the contact information to the
community emergency preparedness networks
to identify cooling/warming sites and resources
for assisting persons to access those sites if
needed.
o Curtails or suspends outdoor activities.
o Provides for alternate activities for residents in air
conditioned or heated areas.
o Provides extra fluids, sunscreen, and modified
clothing.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 57
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase II Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert Activities
o Distributes reminders to staff regarding
precautionary measures.
• While on-site for annual reviews, the DHCS licensing
reviewer ensures that the MHRC and PHF facility
disaster and emergency preparedness plans are
reviewed, updated, and enough to address the
needs of all possible emergencies and disasters.
• Outdoor activities are limited, and preventative cool-
down rests are encouraged.
CA Department of State
Hospitals (DSH)
• Ensures that all five state hospitals at Atascadero (San
Luis Obispo County), Coalinga (Fresno County),
Metropolitan (Los Angeles County), Napa (Napa
County), and Patton (San Bernardino County) are
activating their heat or cold temperature plans when
environmental triggers are reached. These triggers will
be based upon Cal/OSHA requirements and CDPH
licensing thresholds and regulatory guidance.
• All hospitals ensure that clinical staff carefully monitors
patients taking antipsychotic and other forms of
medications that have possible drug/heat or sun
exposure interactions.
• Provides hats, sunscreens, water, shade/cooling
areas, and prompts to drink fluid are provided for
patients and employees as needed.
• Each DSH Hospital Health and Safety Office distributes
timely reminders and training to staff regarding
precautionary measures to prevent heat related
illness.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 58
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase II Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert Activities
CA Military Department
(Cal Guard)
• Prepares to assist the affected area with personnel
and transportation if the situation is expected to be
widespread, prolonged, or compounded by power
disruptions, if needed.
• Prepares to open National Guard Armories as
cooling/warming centers, if needed.
CA Department of
Community Services &
Development (CSD)
•
Administers Community Services Block Grants (CSBG),
Low Income Home Energy and Household Water
Assistance Programs (LIHEAP/LIHWAP), Low Income
Weatherization Program (LIWP), and other program
designed for low-income individuals and households.
Phase III - Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Phase III actions should be taken when the NWS issues an extreme temperature
warning, a local jurisdiction or an OA proclaims an emergency due to a heat or
cold/freeze warning, or at the discretion of the Cal OES Director.
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase III Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Activities
National Weather
Service (NWS)
• Sends extreme temperature warning notifications to
CSWC.
CA State Warning
Center (CSWC)
• Notifies Cal OES and regions, CDPH, and EMSA duty
officers, the Governor’s Office, and executive staffs
that a heat, or cold/freeze emergency (warning)
has been issued.
Cal OES Situation Cell
• Holds transition meeting with SOC Situation Status
Unit (SitStat), if activated, to brief on the report and
what actions have been taken.
• Coordinates with SOC SitStat through at least one
reporting period to answer questions and provide
current situational awareness.
• After SOC’s first report, Situation Cell transitions out of
reporting to its steady state operations.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 59
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase III Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Activities
Cal OES Director
• Advises Governor on local activities and needs.
• In conjunction with key state response
departments/agencies, identifies any rules and
executive actions the Governor may be advised to
take to alleviate the situation, including the
proclamation of a state of emergency by the
Governor.
• Requests a state of emergency proclamation by the
Governor if conditions warrant.
Cal OES Response
Operations and
Affected Administrative
Regions
• Notifies all key state departments/agencies involved
with heat or cold warning response and provides
current situation information.
• Establishes a schedule for conference calls daily
concerning weather, deaths, cooling or warming
center locations and operations, electrical power,
and operational status with emphasis on power
generation status.
• Activates the SOC as needed to appropriate levels.
• Directs requested state resources as necessary to
assist local government.
• Develops Cal OES staffing patterns as necessary.
• Cal OES and CDPH/EMSA MHCC develop incident
action plans, if needed.
• Establishes daily briefing schedule for Governor’s
Office and may establish a Unified Coordination
Group (UCG), if needed.
• Cal OES Regions contact and coordinate with all
local emergency managers and identifies gaps in
contacts between older adults, individuals with
disabilities, and anyone with access or functional
needs and cooling or warming centers.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 60
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase III Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Activities
• Obtains identification of the cooling or warming
center locations, including senior centers,
community centers, shopping malls, churches, and
other potential cooling/warming centers.
• Advises affected local government to do wellness
checks on older adults, individuals with disabilities,
and anyone with access or functional needs.
• Advises affected local government to implement
plans for dealing with older adults, individuals with
disabilities, and anyone with access or functional
needs, including but not limited to SRO buildings and
outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness
and open accessible shelters as necessary.
• Advises affected local government that has social
service, public health, public safety, and community
organizations to check on those most at risk
including seniors living alone and those in single
room occupancy buildings.
• If requested by the affected area to augment local
activities:
o Cal OES tasks CDFA to open state fair
cooling/warming centers in the affected area
to augment local cooling/warming centers
already open.
o Cal OES may task the California Military
Department (CMD)to provide Cal Guard
personnel to assist the OA with person-to-person
contacts and transportation to cooling or
warming centers.
o Cal OES, CDPH, and EMSA contact local
emergency management and health offices to
determine the adequacy of accessible
transportation for older adults, individuals with
Extreme Temperature Response Plan
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 61
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase III Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Activities
disabilities, and anyone with access or
functional needs to cooling or warming centers
as necessary.
o Cal OES or DOR coordinates with CFILC to
determine the adequacy of accessible
transportation for individuals with disabilities
living independently.
o Cal OES Law Enforcement Section collects
death-related information.
o Cal OES Law Enforcement coordinates security
for state shelters, if necessary.
Cal OES, Office of
Access and Functional
Needs (OAFN)
• Places staff on call, including qualified sign
language interpreters, to aid, if necessary.
• Notifies community-based organizations serving
individuals with AFN regarding any status changes
and advises on potential issues and needs of the
community.
• Advises on accessibility of, and taking measures to,
ensure viability of shelters. Provides guidance and
best practices as well as contracts available for
affected communities.
• Coordinates with ILC centers to advise on potential
issues and determine needs of the community.
• Assesses needs of individuals with AFN and relays
information to appropriate affiliated
department/agency.
Cal OES, Office of Crisis
Communications and
Public Affairs (OCCPA)
• Issues public notices, in coordination with CDPH and
EMSA, on protective measures and to check on
neighbors, children, older adults, individuals with
disabilities, individuals at high medical risk,
individuals living alone, and anyone with access or
functional needs.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 62
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase III Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Activities
• Considers activating a Joint Information Center (JIC)
and requests PIO resources/representative(s) from
appropriate departments/agencies.
CA Department of Food
and Agriculture (CDFA)
• If tasked, opens fairgrounds in the affected areas to
augment local cooling/warming centers already
open.
• Coordinates with animal carcass removal.
• Contacts agricultural commissioners and growers if
significant agricultural impacts are expected.
• Shares information with agricultural industries
regarding extreme heat/cold.
CA Department of
Aging (CDA)
• Instructs local Ombudsman programs to report back
to CDA any skilled nursing or residential care facility
complaints they receive related to temperature
conditions in the facility or safety issues related to the
extreme temperatures.
• Advises all CDA’s contractors of the extreme heat
emergency warnings, public health alerts being
issued, and the availability of tip sheets that are
available on Cal OES, CDPH, EMSA, and CDA
websites for dissemination.
• Requests that any shortages of supplies/equipment
that contractors are encountering be
communicated to CDA.
• Reminds contractors that they need to request
additional resources through their county office of
emergency services.
• Instructs CDA contractors to continue to provide
them with updated extreme temperature-related
information until the extreme weather condition
ends.
Extreme Temperature Response Plan
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 63
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase III Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Activities
CA Employment
Development
Department (EDD)
• Provides access to EDD Individual Assistance for
Unemployment.
• Provides access to Insurance and Disaster
Unemployment Assistance (funded by Department
of Labor through EDD) if there has been a
Presidential disaster declaration.
CA Department of
Public Health (CDPH)
• CDPH and Cal OES PIOs are notified and briefed by
their respective duty officers.
• Contacts and coordinates activities with local health
departments, CDPH executive staff and programs,
and Office of Public Affairs (OPA) via conference
calls and the CAHAN.
• Coordinates with the MHOACs through the RDMHSs.
• Issues press releases in coordination with EMSA and
Cal OES, via the JIC at Cal OES, if activated.
• Responds to the SOC, as requested by Cal OES.
• L&C monitors heat or cold/freeze-related unusual
occurrences reported by health care facilities in
affected areas until they are resolved.
• Collects public health and medical situation reports
from local health departments in affected areas.
• L&C provides the reporting process long term care
facilities must follow to report any unusual
occurrence related to extreme temperatures and
any facilities that report problems with information
on caring for patients or residents during extreme
temperatures.
• CDPH Primary and Rural Health Care Systems Branch
provides a list of primary care clinics in the affected
counties that provide services to patients regardless
of ability to pay.
Extreme Temperature Response Plan
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 64
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase III Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Activities
• Provides information regarding cooling/warming
center operations during a pandemic event, as
needed.
CA Division of
Occupational Safety
and Health (Cal/OSHA)
• Ensures all routes through which complaints may be
filed are constantly monitored, including, but not
limited to, walk-ins, phone, fax, emails, and referrals
from other units.
• Responds to complaints about unsafe workplace
due to high heat conditions.
• Ensures that all reports of suspect heat
illnesses/fatalities are immediately investigated.
• Supplements field enforcement related to outdoor
heat illness prevention by engaging in high-heat
inspections. Conducts evaluations of targeted
workplaces to determine compliance with heat
illness prevention regulations.
When an employer is in violation of the heat illness
prevention regulation, ensures employer corrects any
violations and achieves compliance with heat illness
prevention regulation, including the provision of
water, shade, training, and emergency procedures.
CA Department of
Social Services (CDSS)
• Includes extreme temperature-related
tips/information on CDSS’ website, including local
emergency response information provided by local
emergency response agencies when an extreme
temperature warning is issued.
• DSB monitors the situation with the American Red
Cross and the Department’s internal and local
partners.
• DSB coordinates the completion of internal partners’
Extreme Temperature Response Plan responsibilities
Extreme Temperature Response Plan
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 65
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase III Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Activities
and ensure that the Department reports out all
necessary information.
• DSB identifies staffing to assist local government with
cooling/warming center or shelter operations when
local resources can no longer meet staffing needs,
per SEMS.
• CCLD ensures that all regional licensing offices are
alerted to any extreme temperature advisories,
warnings, and alerts that impact their geographic
area.
• CCLD releases information regarding declared
extreme temperature emergencies, including how
to find a local cooling or warming center, and posts
on the CCLD website. Reminds licensees to consult
the CCLD website or the regional licensing office, as
necessary, for extreme temperature-related
information and tips posted on.
• CCLD monitors any unusual heat-related
occurrences or emergencies reported by licensed
community care licensees and aids as needed.
• CCLD maintains contact with facilities that require
evacuation of persons in care and assist, as needed,
during the emergency.
• APD – County IHSS/APS programs follow the
instructions in the ACL issued by CDSS APD regarding
their action to be taken in extreme temperature-
related events and emergencies. Each county uses
their targeted list to contact those individuals
identified as the most at-risk group in their IHSS/APS
population. As needed, APD may issue an
electronic alert to county welfare directors, public
authorities, and county IHSS/APS program managers.
Extreme Temperature Response Plan
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 66
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase III Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Activities
• APD maintains contact with county IHSS/APS
programs, as needed, during the emergency.
• EFAP coordinates with local county food banks to
ensure that they have an adequate supply of food
to meet any increased participation demands.
CA Emergency Medical
Services Authority
(EMSA)
• Communicates EMSA’s activities to CHHSA.
• EMSA and CDPH coordinates information
dissemination to local public health
officers/departments, MHOACs, RDMHS, and LEMSAs
via conference calls, emails, and CAHAN.
• Maintains communication with RDMHSs, MHOACs,
and LEMSAs to identify potential needs for medical
assistance to local government.
• Provides extreme temperature-related
tips/information to RDMHCs, RDMHSs, MHOACs,
LEMSAs, and provider associations for inclusion to
their websites and distribution lists.
• Coordinates with CDPH and CDSS on potential
medical support needed in support of local or state
shelters.
• Mobilizes medical mutual aid assets if requested.
• Issues press releases in coordination with CDPH and
Cal OES via the JIC at Cal OES, if activated.
• Includes extreme temperature-related
tips/information on EMSA’s website, including local
emergency response information provided by local
emergency response agencies when an extreme
temperature warning is issued.
• Collects and disseminates data from LEMSAs and
hospitals regarding temperature related injuries.
Extreme Temperature Response Plan
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 67
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase III Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Activities
CA Department of
Developmental Services
(DDS)
• Ensures that all regional centers and state operated
facilities are alerted to any extreme temperature
advisories, warnings, and alerts that impact their
geographic area.
• Regional centers and state operated facilities
implement various procedures to protect the health
and safety of residents and staff, including, but not
limited to:
o Curtails or suspends outdoor activities.
o Closes training sites that lack air conditioning or
heaters.
o Provides for alternate activities for residents in
air conditioned or heated areas.
o Provides extra fluids, sunscreen, and modified
clothing.
o Adjusts employee work schedules to avoid
strenuous assignments to avoid afternoon heat
or hazards from extreme cold/freeze
conditions.
o Distributes reminders to staff regarding
precautionary measures
• Regional centers initiate contact with their
community emergency preparedness networks to
identify cooling/warming sites and resources for
assisting persons to access those sites if needed.
• Regional centers initiate contact with service
providers and consumers who live independently to
provide them with information about precautionary
measures to protect the health and safety of
consumers and staff, identification of
cooling/warming sites, and other pertinent
information.
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 68
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase III Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Activities
CA Department of
Health Care Services
(DHCS)
• All facilities ensure that nursing carefully monitors
patients taking antipsychotic and other forms of
medications that have possible drug/heat or
drug/cold exposure interactions. Outdoor activities
are terminated as needed.
• Contacts County Mental Health Directors and
licensed facilities to ensure that they have all
necessary information regarding locating
cooling/warming centers and access to extreme
temperature tips. Licensed facilities will determine if
additional assistance is needed and take
appropriate actions.
• DHCS Licensing and Certification ensures that all
MHRCs and PHFs are alerted to any extreme
temperature advisories and/or warnings and alerts
that impact their geographic area.
• DHCS Licensing and Certification also ensures that
host counties MHPs of MHRCs and PHFs are alerted
to any heat or cold/freeze advisories and/or
warnings and alerts that impact their geographic
area and requests the MHP monitors and provides
appropriate assistance to the facilities under their
jurisdiction as needed.
• DHCS Licensing and Certification provides extreme
temperature-related tips and information to all
MHRCs and PHFs. Specifically, DHCS Licensing and
Certification requests all providers of MHRCs and
PHFs to implement numerous procedures to protect
the health and safety of residents and staff,
including but not to be limited to the following:
o Provides the contact information to the
community emergency preparedness networks
to identify cooling or warming sites and
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Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 69
Responsible
Department/Agency
Phase III Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Activities
resources for assisting persons to access those
sites if needed.
o Curtails or suspends outdoor activities.
o Provides for alternate activities for residents in
air conditioned or heated areas.
o Provides extra fluids, sunscreen, and modified
clothing.
o Distributes reminders to staff regarding
precautionary measures.
CA Department of State
Hospitals (DSH)
• Ensures that all State Hospital facilities are alerted to
any extreme temperature advisories, warnings, and
alerts that impact their geographic area.
• Implements procedures to protect the health and
safety of patients and staff as directed by site
specific illness prevention plans and Administrative
Directives.
• Initiates contact with service providers caring for
patients being treated in community programs to
ensure that precautionary measures to protect the
health and safety of patients and staff are
implemented.
CA Military Department
(Cal Guard)
• Utilizes Cal Guard personnel and transportation, if
mission tasked, to support local governments if the
situation is widespread, prolonged, or compounded
by power disruptions.
• Opens cooling/warming centers, if tasked.
California Volunteers
(CalVolunteers)
•
Ensures that CV volunteer organizations are
contacted and utilized as appropriate.
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Appendix B: Local Government Guidance
Guidance - Roles and Responsibilities
This plan recognizes that local agencies may have a system for managing
extreme temperatures. It also recognizes that those systems should be consistent
with SEMS. It is the intent of this guidance to provide a tool to further assist local
efforts and to better coordinate with efforts initiated by state
departments/agencies. The guidance is intended to be flexible to fit unique
community needs.
Local Government Checklists
The following are some recommended actions that if applied, can assist local
government in addressing extreme temperature alerts or warnings. This checklist
is not a list of all required actions. Each local government may have changes
and/or additions to make to adapt it to their jurisdiction. Again, the checklist is
intended to be flexible to fit unique community needs.
Phases for an extreme temperature response are listed below:
• Phase I - Seasonal Readiness
• Phase II - Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert
• Phase III - Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Local Guidance for Phase I - Seasonal Readiness
Phase I – Seasonal Readiness
Local Activity
Responsible
Department/
Agency
Applied
(
)
Planning
•
Establishes a working group consisting of agencies,
private, volunteer and service organizations, food
banks, faith-based organizations, cultural groups,
immigrant groups, and service organizations to
identify older adults, individuals with disabilities, and
anyone with access or functional needs and
develop a whole community strategy for
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Phase I – Seasonal Readiness
Local Activity
Responsible
Department/
Agency
Applied
(
)
accessible notification and emergency actions,
such as establishing cooling or warming centers
and transportation.
•
Determines local activation levels in an extreme
temperature warning plan based on the phases in
this guidance and local weather conditions.
• Create programs for outreach and support of older
adults, individuals with disabilities, and anyone with
access or functional needs (phone trees, in- home
check-ups, video visits, etc.) utilizing volunteer and
service organizations.
Awareness
•
Identifies volunteer and service organizations,
private sector, food banks, faith-based
organizations, cultural groups, immigrant groups,
medical and care facilities, schools’
representatives, law enforcement, fire personnel,
and other representatives to determine the
location older adults, individuals with disabilities,
and anyone with access or functional needs to
determine their needs and ensure whole
community support.
•
Coordinates with state programs serving individuals
with AFN to ensure needs are addressed and
identify any anticipated needs or problems.
•
Develops culturally and linguistically appropriate
public safety materials that include posters, flyers,
and public media announcements.
Announcements should include information for
individuals with AFN regarding how to obtain
paratransit transportation to be used in
emergency/disaster situations.
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Phase I – Seasonal Readiness
Local Activity
Responsible
Department/
Agency
Applied
(
)
•
Establishes processes to rapidly disseminate
extreme heat emergency guidance older adults,
individuals with disabilities, and anyone with access
or functional needs through service groups, food
banks, Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT), faith-based organizations, cultural groups,
immigrant groups, service organizations, care
providers, medical and health facilities, workplaces,
schools, public facilities, and private industries.
Ensures accessible messaging using captioning,
sign language interpretation, and other
accommodations as necessary by all broadcasters
for all emergency messages.
•
Considers utilizing current grant funding (e.g.,
Emergency Management Program Grant (EMPG)),
to develop 211 capability and/or telephonic
notification systems with (TTY/TDD) capabilities to
contact persons with disabilities, including text
paging for people with hearing impairments and
audible messaging for individuals with sight
impairments.
•
Conducts extreme temperature emergency
awareness fairs and exercises extreme heat
emergency plans.
•
Notices volunteers and service organizations,
private sector, faith-based organizations, medical
and care facilities, schools’ representatives, public
officials, law enforcement, and fire personnel are
informed to be prepared to contact older adults,
individuals with disabilities, and anyone with access
or functional needs.
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Phase I – Seasonal Readiness
Local Activity
Responsible
Department/
Agency
Applied
(
)
•
Develops any additional public safety materials (in
various accessible formats) that include posters,
flyers, and public/social media announcements.
• Disseminates guidance on extreme temperature
warning to older adults, individuals with disabilities,
and anyone with access or functional needs
• in a timely manner through the local emergency
alert systems, service groups, CERT, CV, disabilities
organizations, care providers, medical and health
facilities, workplaces, schools, public facilities, and
private industries. Ensures compliance with program
accessibility for persons with sight impairments via
audible messages and persons with hearing
impairments via captioning or sign language
interpretation by all broadcasters for all emergency
messages.
Cooling or Warming Centers
•
Ensures that the facilities identified for
cooling/warming centers will be available.
•
Confirms the points of contact for cooling/warming
center operations.
•
Determines if special considerations for
cooling/warming procedures are needed during a
pandemic event.
•
Identifies the services provided at the
cooling/warming facilities, taking into consideration
accommodations for individuals with disabilities,
service animals, domestic pets, and possible 24-
hour operations.
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Phase I – Seasonal Readiness
Local Activity
Responsible
Department/
Agency
Applied
(
)
• Coordinates with the local power utility to identify
and develop procedures for the operations of
cooling/warming centers that could be exempt
from rotating blackouts, if necessary.
Transportation
•
Develops a transportation working group consisting
of public, private, volunteer, and service
organizations to identify and develop transportation
procedures to ensure older adults, individuals with
disabilities, and anyone with access or functional
needs are provided accessible transportation to
cooling/warming centers.
•
Identifies ways for individuals with AFN to notify
appropriate authorities when accessible
transportation to cooling/warming centers is
needed.
•
Notifies private, volunteer, and service organizations
involved in the transportation component and
procedures to ensure availability of accessible
transportation for older adults, individuals with
disabilities, and anyone with access or functional
needs to cooling/warming centers.
• Ensures that coordination procedures, including
memoranda of understanding, are in place to
ensure accessible transportation is available for
those in need of being transported to
cooling/warming centers.
Other
•
Identifies actions during an extreme temperature
warning that will require emergency regulations or
ordinances.
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Local Guidance for Phase II - Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert
Phase II - Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert
Local Activity
Responsible
Department
/Agency
Applied
(
)
• Sends extreme temperature warnings related
notifications to CSWC.
• Distributes information specific to the extreme
temperature warnings to local jurisdictions.
•
Cities and counties stand-by or begin activating pre-
identified cooling/warming centers and works with
volunteer groups to identify additional cooling
centers that may be needed, identify American
Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant centers so that
persons with AFN could be taken to those facilities,
and coordinate planning with local transportation
providers.
• Activates local extreme temperature response plans.
• Disseminates extreme temperature protective
measure guidance to all media sources.
• Activates telephone extreme temperature hotlines.
• Alerts appropriate neighborhood volunteer groups,
volunteer and service groups, CERT, disability
organizations, social services departments/agencies,
medical facilities, and care homes.
• Notifies paratransit or other local transportation of
the potential need to transport individuals to
cooling/warming centers.
• Coordinates and briefs all emergency managers on
actions to be undertaken and responsible
departments/agencies.
• Coordinates with local utilities to assess power
restrictions or limitations.
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Phase II - Heat or Cold/Freeze Alert
Local Activity
Responsible
Department
/Agency
Applied
(
)
• Plans transportation services and ways for individuals
to request the transportation if utilities fail.
• Activates transportation resources, including
paratransit and private accessible transit services to
assist those without transportation, including service
animals, to and from cooling/warming centers.
• Requests mutual aid as needed through SEMS if
weather forecasts indicate extreme temperatures
may be imminent.
• Activates EOC if necessary.
• Establishes regular public official briefings to include
weather updates and actions taken and planned.
• Schedules regular reporting and monitoring
procedures with cooling/warming centers, volunteer
organizations, utilities, public safety, and medical
facilities.
•
Determines the need to proclaim a local emergency
(or public health emergency) based on current or
projected conditions.
• Considers reductions in energy usage in local public
buildings and reduced hours of operations that
would not impact the cooling/warming center
operations.
• Activates hot line for public information.
• Implements a method to track extreme temperature
related deaths and medical emergencies.
• Ensures all employees review and update their home
emergency plans.
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Local Guidance for Phase III - Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Phase III - Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Local Activity
Responsible
Department/
Agency
Applied
(
)
• Activates EOC, as needed.
• Monitors and determines need for more
cooling/warming centers and resources.
• Establishes regular media releases.
• Tracks extreme temperature related fatalities and
medical emergencies. Report extreme temperature
related deaths to Cal OES, if requested.
• Prioritizes public offices that should remain open
and close others to conserve energy.
• Issues targeted extreme temperature warnings to
older adults, individuals with disabilities, and anyone
with access or functional needs.
• Monitors jurisdictional cooling/warming center
facilities providing regular updates on numbers of
persons at each, support issues including AFN, and
power availability.
• Coordinates activities with OA and neighboring
jurisdictions. The OAs coordinate with Cal OES
Regions providing information updates, resource
assessments, and mutual aid requests.
•
Determines if special considerations for
cooling/warming procedures are needed during a
pandemic event. See Appendix J: Infectious
Disease and Cooling/Warming Centers.
• Proclaims and ratifies emergency (local and/or
public health) and renews resolution as appropriate.
•
Identifies any regulatory or ordinance issues that
may need to be suspended.
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Phase III - Heat or Cold/Freeze Warning
Local Activity
Responsible
Department/
Agency
Applied
(
)
• Establishes regular briefings with the National
Weather Service.
• Ensures employees have updated extreme
temperature related materials and methods for
checking on family members.
• Ensures impacts to pets and animals due to extreme
temperatures are addressed at cooling/warming
centers.
• Requests state activation of state-owned
cooling/warming centers in the vicinity as needed.
• Surveys available emergency resources and
facilities to determine replenishment needs.
• Notifies ambulance providers and hospitals to
expect and prepare for surge in extreme
temperature related illnesses.
• Submits regular situation reports to the Cal OES
Region.
• Tracks extreme temperature related fatalities and
medical emergencies. Report extreme temperature
related fatalities to Cal OES, if requested.
• Gathers data on damages, if appropriate:
o Submits Initial Damage Estimates (IDE)
o Prepares to participate in Preliminary Damage
Assessments (PDA)
o Establishes Local Assistance Centers (LACs)
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Appendix C: National Weather Service Products
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Weather
Service Information
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/NWS issues extreme heat or
cold/freeze products using the outlook/watch/warning concept. These products
are explained as follows:
• Partner Emails are issued for any potential significant weather event in the
next seven days. Not an official NWS product, but an email heads up
notification with very wide distribution to all emergency managers and
the California State Warning Center.
• Watches are usually issued 36-48 hours before expected onset of the
event.
• Warnings indicate a high degree of confidence that the event will occur
as described and they usually are issued within 24 hours of the event.
Warnings may be issued even if neither an outlook nor watch was issued in
advance. Similarly, outlooks and watches may have been issued but conditions
then change enough that a warning is not warranted.
National Weather Service HeatRisk
Heat affects everyone differently. To prepare for upcoming heat events, the
NWS is producing experimental forecasts which provide daily guidance on
potential heat risks, out to seven days. This risk is assessed by comparing the
official NWS temperature forecast to local thresholds which change through the
year based on climatology. The name of this output is HeatRisk.
Note: Prior to the development of this plan, NWS determined that the Heat Index
(HI), was no longer representative of California’s climate. Individuals in all levels
of government, the private sector, non-profit, and community-based
organizations are now urged to utilize HeatRisk as the NWS product of choice.
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NWS Experimental HeatRisk is portrayed in a numeric (0-4) and color
(green/yellow/orange/red/magenta) scale, very similar to the Air Quality Index
(AQI). This daily value indicates the level of heat risk concern for any location,
along with identifying the groups who are most at risk. Essentially, the higher the
value, the greater the potential heat risk. During this experimental phase, the
NWS in California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona are linking the heat product
issuance to the HeatRisk output, rather than to the many varied single threshold
approaches previously used. In simple terms, magenta and red HeatRisk would
generally lead to excessive heat warnings and orange would lead to advisories,
depending on location.
See Figure 1 below for an example of the NWS HeatRisk product distributed by
NWS in the partner emails. See Table 1 on the next page for the HeatRisk table
used to identify the risk used in the HeatRisk product.
For more information visit the NWS Experimental HeatRisk: Identifying Potential
Heat Risks in the Seven Day Forecast website.
Figure 1: NWS HeatRisk Product Example
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Table 1: NWS HeatRisk Table
Numerical
Value
Meaning Who/What is at Risk?
How Common
is this Heat?
For those at risk, what
actions can be taken?
0 (Green)
Level of heat poses little to no
risk
No elevated risk
Very Common
No preventative actions
necessary
1 (Yellow)
Heat of this type is tolerated
by most; however, there is a
minor risk for sensitive groups
to experience negative heat-
related health effects
Primarily those who
are extremely sensitive
to heat, especially
when outdoors without
effective cooling
and/or adequate
hydration
Very Common
Increase hydration
Reduce time spent
outdoors or stay in the
shade when the sun is
strongest
Open windows at night
and use fans to bring
cooler air inside
2 (Orange)
Heat of this type is tolerated
by many; however, there is a
moderate risk for members of
heat sensitive groups to
experience negative heat-
related health effects
Some risk for the general
population who are exposed
to the sun for longer periods of
time
For those without air
conditioning, living spaces
can become uncomfortable
during the afternoon and
Primarily heat sensitive
or vulnerable groups,
especially those
without effective
cooling or hydration.
Those not acclimated
to this level of heat
(e.g., visitors)
Otherwise healthy
individuals exposed to
longer duration heat,
without effective
cooling or hydration,
Fairly common
most locations
Very common
in southern
regions of
country
Reduce time in the sun
during the warmest part
of the day
Stay hydrated
Stay in a cool place
during the heat of the
day
Move outdoor activities
to cooler times of the
day
For those without air
conditioning, use fans to
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Numerical
Value
Meaning Who/What is at Risk?
How Common
is this Heat?
For those at risk, what
actions can be taken?
evening, but fans and open
windows at night will help
such as in the sun at
an outdoor venue
Some transportation
and utilities sectors
Some health systems
will see increased
demand, with
increases in
emergency room visits
keep air moving and
open windows at night
3 (Red)
Heat of this type is a major risk
to those who are 1) exposed
to the sun and active or 2) are
in a heat sensitive group
Dangerous to anyone without
proper hydration or adequate
cooling
For those without air
conditioning, living spaces
can become deadly during
the afternoon and evening.
Fans and open windows will
not be as effective
Poor air quality is possible
Much of the
population, especially
anyone without
effective cooling or
hydration
Those exposed to the
heat/sun at outdoor
venues
Most transportation
and utilities sectors
Health systems likely to
see increased
demand with
significant increases in
emergency room visits
Uncommon in
most locations
Fairly common
in southern
regions of the
country
Consider canceling
outdoor activities during
the heat of the day,
otherwise move activities
to the coolest part of the
day
Stay hydrated
Stay in a cool place
especially during the
heat of the day and
evening
If you have access to air
conditioning, use it, or
find a location that does.
Even a few hours in a
cool location can lower
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Numerical
Value
Meaning Who/What is at Risk?
How Common
is this Heat?
For those at risk, what
actions can be taken?
Power interruptions may occur
as electrical demands
increase
risk. Fans may not be
adequate.
4
(Magenta)
This is a rare level of heat
leading to an Extreme Risk for
the entire population
Very dangerous to anyone
without proper hydration or
adequate cooling
This is a multi-day excessive
heat event. Prolonged heat is
dangerous to anyone not
prepared
Poor air quality is likely
Power outages are
increasingly likely as electrical
demands may reach critical
levels
Entire population
exposed to the heat is
at risk
For people without
effective cooling,
especially heat
sensitive groups, this
level of heat can be
deadly
Most transportation
and utilities sectors
Health systems highly
likely to see increased
demand with
significant increases in
emergency room visits
Rare most
locations
Occurs up to a
few times a
year in southern
regions of
country,
especially the
Desert
Southwest
Strongly consider
canceling outdoor
activities
Stay hydrated
Stay in a cool place,
including overnight
If you have access to air
conditioning, use it, or
find a location that does.
Even a few hours in a
cool location can lower
risk. Fans will not be
adequate
Check on your neighbors
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Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)
The NWS Experimental HeatRisk utilizes the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) in combination with the weather forecast to
determine the level of HeatRisk in an affected area. See Figure 2 for Overall
Social Vulnerability by Category.
Figure 2: Overall Social Vulnerability by Category
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the
Geospatial Research, Analysis, and Services Program (GRASP) created this
database to help emergency response planners and public health officials
identify and map communities that will most likely need support before, during,
and after a hazardous event. To learn more, visit ATSDR’s CDC Social
Vulnerability Index (SVI) webpage.
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National Weather Service Wind Chill Temperature
The NWS Wind Chill Temperature (WCT) Index uses advances in science,
technology, and computer modeling to provide an accurate, understandable,
and useful formula for calculating the dangers from winter winds and freezing
temperatures. The WCT index:
• Calculates wind speed at an average height of five feet, the typical
height of an adult human face, based on readings from the national
standard height of 33 feet, which is the typical height of an anemometer.
• Is based on a human face model.
• Incorporates heat transfer theory based on heat loss from the body to its
surroundings, during cold and breezy/windy days.
• Lowers the calm wind threshold to three mph.
• Uses a consistent standard for skin tissue resistance.
• Assumes no impact from the sun (i.e., clear night sky).
To determine the wind chill temperature, find the value closest to your outside
air temperature. Find the value that most closely represents your present wind
speed. Your wind chill temperature is the value where lines drawn from the air
temperature and wind cross. See Figure 3, the NWS Wind Chill Chart.
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Figure 3: National Weather Service Wind Chill Chart
For more information and to use the Wind Chill Calculator, visit the National
Weather Service’s Wind Chill website. For more information on cold weather
products, see the State Concept of Operations, Extreme Cold/Freeze section.
Notification
The CSWC is used as a situational awareness pass through for information
received daily by the NWS. NWS heat or cold/freeze information received by the
CSWS is then:
• Forwarded to the OAs via the California Law Enforcement
Telecommunications System (CLETS).
• Forwarded to third party distribution systems, the media, and subscribing
emergency managers through the Emergency Digital Information System
(EDIS).
Items which meet thresholds of immediate action are also verbally transmitted
to OAs, Cal OES duty officers, and other essential personnel.
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Appendix D: Resources and Supplies for Preparedness and
Response
The following is a partial list of resources supplies that can assist in preparing for
and responding to extreme temperatures:
Extreme Temperature Warning Resources and Supplies
• Public education pamphlets - preventive measures, symptoms, etc.
• Prepared press releases listing available resources and contact numbers.
• State facilities, including fairgrounds with temperature-controlled venues
to act as warming centers.
• Portable generators to loan to nursing homes and senior housing
complexes.
• A developed statewide list of companies that will donate goods.
• Ready to eat meals or commercial equivalents.
• Special dietary products for babies, older adults, and other special needs
groups.
• Coupons that can be used at pre-identified stores to obtain ice, water,
etc.
• Lists of volunteers to staff cooling/warming centers and check on special
needs’ populations.
• Lists of county cooling/warming centers.
• Lists of potential air conditioned or heated dormitory rooms available to
house individuals and those with AFN.
• Lists of available vehicles and volunteers/personnel to transport heat or
cold/freeze-impacted individuals with AFN.
• Pre-staged portable tables and chairs to accommodate clientele.
• Lists of facilities that can accommodate pets.
• Animal cages to house pets.
• Stockpiled animal food and water.
• Disposable dishes to serve animals.
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• Portable regular and AFN showers.
• Regular, bariatric, and AFN cots.
• Available National Guard or other state resources for housing and care.
Heat Resources and Supplies
• Portable air conditioners and fans to loan where needed.
• Bottled water and assorted cold drinks.
• Identified sources for obtaining ice to distribute at cooling centers.
• Dry ice to assist community members with power disruptions.
• Bottled Pedialyte and adult equivalent.
• Cooling tents for setting up in state/county parks.
Cold/Freeze Resources and Supplies
• Portable heaters to loan where needed.
• Bottled water and other warm beverages.
• Identified and prepared sources for obtaining blankets to distribute at
warming centers.
• Bottled/boxed fruit juices.
• Blankets, care kits, and other comfort items.
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Appendix E: State Dissemination of Public Information
Increased readiness should begin when extreme temperatures are forecast. Cal
OES coordinates statewide preparedness activities, including dissemination of
preparedness information through media and in-person events with an
emphasis on accessible messaging to older adults, individuals with disabilities,
and anyone with access or functional needs. These events will include multiple
levels of government, private entities, and NGOs, such as community, faith
based, volunteer, and service organizations. Discussion groups at these events
will assist in fine-tuning materials, developing delivery methods, reviewing and
updating plans and procedures, and developing community-based
partnerships. As extreme temperature weather increases consider a variety of
strategies and methods for dissemination.
Seasonal Approach
Public information functions will address extreme temperatures using a seasonal
approach:
• A heat awareness campaign during the month of May, or earlier in the
event of forecasted heat events.
• An extreme cold/freeze conditions awareness campaign during the
months of November to February, or earlier in the event of forecasted
extreme cold/freeze conditions.
Public information messages should reinforce communications received from
key state departments/agencies. Messages should be culturally appropriate
and accessible to individuals with AFN considerations (e.g., vision and hearing
impairment), and should be about:
• Heat or cold/freeze safety awareness for all populations, including
workers.
• Heat or cold/freeze safety health tips.
• When to use 911 and hospital emergency departments.
• Checking on family, friends, and neighbors.
• Availability of resources for assistance and respite.
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Outreach by State and Local Departments/Agencies
Public information should include the use of mass media and community
education strategies, such as:
• Sending notification and prevention tips through schools, businesses, and
associations.
• Posting public information tips at hospitals, medical offices, grocery stores,
and community centers.
• Additional outreach to parks and recreation, sports and outdoor activity
venues, senior and day care centers, and organizations serving non-
English speakers.
All materials and messages should be coordinated with state departments/
agencies with public health and safety responsibilities.
Free Media
• Public Service Announcements (PSAs).
• Media Advisories.
• Press Releases.
• Social Media Outlets (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
• Opinion page editorials and guest columns.
• Guest spots on news programs, public affairs appearances, talk shows,
etc.
• Community events/expos as feasible.
• Web sites with resources (Cal OES and other state
departments/agencies,).
• Press conferences and news briefings.
Partnerships
• Partner with private sector businesses on promotional campaigns.
• Partner with AFN and older adult service organizations on heat safety
awareness outreach materials.
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• Partner with utility companies on extreme temperature safety awareness
outreach materials.
• Partner with local government on regional promotions.
Speakers Bureau
Establishes a multi-department/agency speaker’s bureau with subject matter
experts on topics, such as issues related to older adults, individuals with
disabilities, and anyone with access or functional needs.
Joint Information Center Activation
As extreme temperature warnings unfold, Cal OES OCCPA determines when to
activate a JIC and bring together representatives from all responsible
departments/agencies to coordinate crisis communications and public
information (e.g., Cal OES, DHCS, CDSS, CDFA, and other key state and local
departments/agencies). Previously developed extreme temperature warnings
and pre-scripted materials should be distributed to local agencies prior to any
excessive temperature event.
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Appendix F: Health Information and High-Risk Populations
Symptoms of Heat Exposure
Heat Exhaustion occurs when the body is dehydrated resulting in an imbalance
of electrolytes.
• Symptoms - Headache, nausea, dizziness, cool and clammy skin, pale
face, cramps, weakness, and profuse perspiration.
• First Aid - Move to a cooler spot, drink water with a small amount of salt
added (one teaspoon per quart).
• Without Intervention - Can lead to collapse and heatstroke.
Heatstroke occurs when the body cannot perspire and overheats.
• Symptoms - Headache, nausea, face flushed, hot and dry skin, no
perspiration, body temperature over 101°F, chills, and rapid pulse.
• First Aid – Move to a cooler spot as soon as possible, cool person
immediately, wrap in a cool, wet sheet, and get medical assistance.
• Without Intervention - Can lead to confusion, coma, and death.
Symptoms of Cold/Freeze Exposure
Frostbite is a reaction to cold that can cause permanent harm.
• Symptoms - A white or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually
firm or waxy, and numbness.
• First Aid – Move to a warm spot as soon as possible.
o Unless necessary, do not walk on feet or toes that show signs of
frostbite - this increases the damage.
o Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all - this can
cause more damage.
o Put the areas affected by frostbite in warm - not hot - water (the
temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts
of the body).
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o If warm water is not available, warm the affected area using body
heat. For example, you can use the heat of an armpit to warm
frostbitten fingers.
o Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace,
or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can easily burn.
• Without intervention, frostbite may permanently damage the body part
and in severe cases, can lead to amputation (removing the affected
body part).
Hypothermia occurs when the body’s temperature drops below 95ºF.
• Symptoms - Confusion, dizziness, exhaustion, and shivering are signs of
hypothermia. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical
attention immediately.
• First Aid - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on
warming procedures:
o Get the victim into a warm room or shelter. If the victim has on any wet
clothing, remove it.
o Warm the center of the body first - chest, neck, head, and groin - using
an electric blanket, if available; or use skin-to-skin contact under loose,
dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
o Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not
give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an
unconscious person.
o After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and
wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
o Get medical attention as soon as possible.
High Risk Populations and Individuals with Access or Functional
Needs
Situational and physical characteristics help to identify high risk populations that
may not comfortably or safely access and use disaster resources. Government
Code Section 8593.3 was added to the law in 2016 and broadly defines those
with access and functional needs as:
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“The access and functional needs population consists of individuals who have
developmental or intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, chronic conditions,
injuries, limited English proficiency or who are non-English speaking, older adults,
children, people living in institutionalized settings, or those who are low income,
homeless, or transportation disadvantaged, including, but not limited to, those
who are dependent on public transit or those who are pregnant.”
For more information on emergency preparedness and response best practices
of the AFN community, visit the Cal OES Office of Access and Functional Needs.
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Appendix G: Animal Vulnerabilities in Excessive Temperatures
Animals in the Extreme Heat
Dogs and cats are less efficient at cooling than humans. They are in danger of
heat stroke at 110°F. Their sweat glands are located on the nose and footpads,
which are inadequate for cooling on hot days. Panting and drinking water help
cooling, but if the air temperature is overheated, brain and organ damage can
occur in 15 minutes. Risk factors to heat stress include body size, age (young and
old), breed (short nosed breeds, such as bulldogs), obesity, and existing
metabolic, cardiovascular, or respiratory disease.
Every year, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) receives reports of
dogs, cats, and other animals who have died after being left in hot cars or
outside during the summer months. Table 2 shows the temperature change in a
vehicle over time on a warm day:
Table 2: Temperature Changes in a Vehicle Overtime on a Warm Day
Outside Air Temperature
Minutes Inside Vehicle
Temperature in Vehicle
85° F 10 Min. 102° F
85° F 30 Min. 120° F
72° F 30 Min. 104° F
72° F 60 Min. 112° F
Prevention:
• Never leave pets in a car on warm days.
• Call animal control or police immediately if an animal is in distress in a car.
• Be alert for any sign of heat stress: heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid
pulse, unsteadiness, staggering gait, vomiting, or deep red or purple
tongue.
• Never leave pets tied up without shade, air circulation, and fresh water.
• Offer a cool place to rest when temperatures are uncomfortable.
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• If you are going to take advantage of a local cooling center and feel the
need to bring your pet, always call ahead to find out if they are able
accept pets, and what preparations are necessary (e.g., leash for dog,
pet carrier for cats, etc.).
Treatment:
• Overheated pets must be cooled immediately.
• Move pet to shade.
• Apply cool water all over body.
• Apply ice packs to neck and chest area.
• Allow licking ice and small amount of water (large amount will cause
vomiting).
• Take to veterinarian immediately for evaluation.
Animals in Extreme Cold/Freeze
When the temperature outside drops below freezing (32°F), pets should be
provided adequate protection from the elements. When the outside
temperature and/or wind-chill drops below zero, then pets should have access
to shelter with heat. Normal body temperature for a dog or cat is around 101°F.
Animals experience hypothermia when their body temperature falls
dramatically below their normal body temperature, which can lower metabolic
rate and affect organ functions.
Signs of Hypothermia in Pets:
• Shivering.
• Respiratory depression.
• Lethargy.
• Weakness.
• The pet’s gums turn pale or bluish.
• The pet experiences lack of coordination.
• Paralysis.
• Loss of conscious.
• Eventual cardiac arrest.
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Treatment:
• Remove the pet from the elements immediately.
• Wrap the animal in a warm, dry blanket.
• Give the pet warm liquids or food.
• Dry any excess moisture from the animal’s fur.
• Get the effected pet to a veterinary clinic immediately.
Livestock and Poultry in the Heat
Extreme heat can be hazardous to livestock, horses, and poultry. Reduced
production, heat-related illnesses, even death can occur. During extreme heat,
individuals who own livestock and poultry should observe the following:
• Producers should assure that all livestock and poultry are provided
adequate and accessible drinking water, shade, and fans and water-
cooling, where feasible.
• Many producers have back-up generators for their facilities, which should
be inspected to ensure operational condition in the event power
disruptions. Emergency power should also be available for fans and well
pumps. Misters, soakers, and fans should be checked to ensure they are
operational. Shade structures (especially shade cloths) should be in good
repair.
• During an excessive heat warning, dairy producers can use a variety of
temporary cow-cooling methods. Fire hoses can be hooked up to water
trucks and used to soak the cattle. Strings of cows can be cooled in
sprinkler pens if they are not in constant use for milking. Temporary soaking
lines can be devised using flexible landscaping PVC hose and high-
volume emitters positioned over the cattle. Industrial fans have been
rented to augment these water-cooling methods. Temporary shade
structures have been erected. In general, working cattle should be
avoided except in the early morning.
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Livestock and Poultry in the Cold
Livestock and poultry are very resilient to winter temperatures. However, when
severe winter hits suddenly, it can be a stress factor. During extreme cold,
individuals who own livestock and poultry should observe the following:
• Livestock should be provided with windbreak and roof shelter, and
monitored for signs of discomfort (extensive shivering, weakness, lethargy,
etc.).
• It is very important that livestock be provided extra hay/forage/feed as
the calories for normal body heat maintenance may double in extreme
cold.
• It is critical that animals have access to drinking water. Usual water
sources may freeze solid in low temperatures and dehydration can
become a life-threatening factor. Many animals, especially the young,
may not know how or cannot break several inches of ice to reach water.
In general, animals tend to drink less in extreme cold, risking dehydration.
Research with horses shows they will drink more water if it is warmed when
weather is cold.
• Adding a warm sloppy bran mash, sloppy moistened beet pulp, or
soaking pelleted feed in warm water is a good way to add water to a
horse’s diet and provide some comfort food in the cold weather.
• Special attention should be paid to very young and old animals. They
may be less able to tolerate temperature extremes and have weaker
immune systems.
Livestock and Poultry Mass Fatality
During an extreme temperature warning, if producers are experiencing
difficulties or delays in having dead animals picked up by rendering companies,
they should immediately contact their Agricultural Commissioner, their local
office of emergency services, or office of environmental health to inform them
of the situation. Local officials can assist with alternate methods of disposal,
including evaluating the need for a proclamation of local emergency.
Producers are encouraged to review the Emergency Animal Disposal Guidance
on Cal EPA’s website.
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Appendix H: The Electrical Grid and the California ISO
The California Independent System Operator (ISO) is tasked with managing
about 80 percent of the California electrical power grid, except in areas
serviced by municipal utilities.
California Independent System Operator - The ISO is tasked with managing the
power transmission grid that supplies most of California except in areas serviced
by municipal utilities. There are times when supply margins are tight, especially
during the summer when air conditioning drives up electricity demand. When
that happens, the ISO initiates communications with the public to take actions
to protect the grid reliability. Loss of generation or transmission equipment, peak
electricity demand forecasts, and persistent heatwaves may trigger an
emergency notification from the ISO.
Emergency Notifications – The ISO uses a series of emergency notifications to
alert the public based on system conditions. Click to see the CA ISO Emergency
Notifications Fact Sheet. The emergency notifications are:
• Transmission Emergency - Declared for any event threatening or limiting
transmission grid capability, including line or transformer overloads or loss.
• Energy Emergency Alert Watch - Analysis shows all available resources are
committed or forecasted to be in use, and energy deficiencies are
expected. Market participants are encouraged to offer supplemental
energy. This notice can be issued the day before the projected shortfall or
if a sudden event occurs.
• Energy Emergency Alert 1 - Real-time analysis shows all resources are in
use or committed for use, and energy deficiencies are expected. Market
participants are encouraged to offer supplemental energy and ancillary
service bids. Consumers are encouraged to conserve energy.
• Energy Emergency Alert 2 - ISO requests emergency energy from all
resources and has activated its emergency demand response program.
Consumers are urged to conserve energy to help preserve grid reliability.
• Energy Emergency Alert 3 - ISO is unable to meet minimum Contingency
Reserve requirements and controlled power curtailments are imminent or
in progress according to each utility’s emergency plan. Maximum
conservation by consumers requested.
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Utilities - Utilities generally attempt to provide outage information through
automated notifications such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social
media, mass media, and, if warranted, going door to door to inform customers
and the public of electric power disruptions. For non-customers or account
holders, some utilities have established a separate registry to receive
notifications of potential power shutoffs.
Ongoing emergency coordination between city and county emergency
managers and utility providers could enhance advance notification of electric
disruptions and restoration coordination. In case of a Public Safety Power Shutoff
(PSPS) program disruption, the utilities will also notify local public safety officials
and the CSWC.
Electric Power Load Shedding
When the power system is under extreme stress due to heavy demand and/or
failure of critical components, it is sometimes necessary to intentionally interrupt
the service to selected customers to prevent the entire system from collapsing.
In such cases, customer service (or load) is cut, sometimes with little or no
warning. One form of load shedding called a rotating blackout involves cutting
service to selected customers for a predetermined period (usually not more than
two hours). As power is restored to one block of customers, power to another
block of customers is interrupted to reduce the overall load on the system.
California’s investor-owned utilities may shut off electric power, referred to as
de-energization or Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), as a measure of last
resort to protect public safety during high-fire-threat events. Unlike rotating
blackouts, areas being de-energized for a PSPS event should receive
notifications prior to the de-energization as well as notifications when the
restoration process begins and is concluded. Undefined cooling or warming
centers are not covered by this rule and are not exempt from rotating power
outages; however, Cal OES may request an exception from the utilities through
the California Utilities Emergency Association (CUEA). There are no commonly
defined criteria for cooling or warming centers. For more information on power
disruptions, see the Cal OES Electric Power Disruption Toolkit for Local
Government.
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Appendix I: Cooling or Warming Center Checklist
The following is a list of important and suggested criteria considerations for
setting up a cooling or warming center:
Important Criteria
Applied
()
Air conditioning, heating, or equivalent (temperature maintained at
maximum of 79°F or minimum of 68°F)
Accessible to individuals with access or functional needs
Ample seating appropriate to the jurisdiction
Public restrooms accessible to individuals with AFN
Access to potable water
Access to 911 services
Publicly advertised
Parking stalls reserved for disabled access or placard parking
Close proximity to public transit
Suggested Criteria
Applied
(
)
Back-up generators
Facility security
Child friendly, with materials for children to play
Communications, phone (including TDD/TTY), internet access, and
language interpreters (e.g., telephonic translation services, video
remote interpreting, etc.)
Charging stations for mobile devices, assistive technology, power
chairs, medical equipment, etc.
Medical personnel, such as nurses and/or aides and first aid
equipment and supplies.
Mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs, chairs with arms, walkers, etc.)
24-hour, 7 days a week operation with outdoor lighting
Large capacity
Personnel assistance services for individuals with AFN (e.g., readers)
Available televisions, books, radios, and games
On demand transportation for those lacking their own, including
wheelchair accessible services provided at no cost
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Important Criteria
Applied
()
Follow-up procedures for those in need of additional services (health
care, social services, mental/behavioral health, etc.)
Area for pets
Veterinary resources available if needed
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Appendix J: Infectious Disease and Cooling/Warming Centers
Extreme temperatures are a major public health concern in California.
Cooling/warming centers are used by many communities to protect health
during extreme temperatures. However, the use of cooling/warming centers
can potentially provide a route for the transmission of infectious diseases among
both visitors and staff. Additionally, groups of individuals at higher risk for illness,
such as older adults or those with underlying medical conditions, may have
greater need to congregate at cooling/warming centers. This document
provides guidance to support a safe, clean environment for members of the
public and workers at facilities operated as cooling/warming centers.
Utility Assistance
• Consider implementing or expanding programs that provide utility
assistance, such as the low-income home energy assistance program to
limit shut offs due to financial insecurity.
• A temporary ban on utility shut offs during extreme cold/heat waves
would allow individuals to stay home and continue using home heater or
air conditioning.
Staff and Volunteers
• Plan for staff and volunteer absences.
• All staff should be screened for temperature and symptoms at the
beginning of their shift.
• Provide personal protective equipment.
• Develop flexible attendance and sick-leave policies.
• Identify critical job functions and positions, and plan for alternative
coverage by cross-training center staff.
• Be prepared to contact emergency officials (call 911) in the case of
severe illness requiring medical assistance.
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Physical Distancing
• Implement screening and alternative sites for symptomatic and
asymptomatic individuals.
• Visitors and staff should be encouraged to wear cloth face coverings
while in the center. The center is encouraged to have a supply of face
coverings to distribute to anyone who arrives without one. Face coverings
must not be shared.
• Maintain physical distancing, ideally at least six feet between individuals
or family units.
• Separate furniture and create spaces for individual family units.
• Consider larger facilities to provide adequate space for physical
distancing.
• If possible, provide alternative sites for those showing symptoms of illness
(e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath). This may be separate rooms
within the centers or a space that can be used to accommodate visitors
with symptoms and separate them from others.
• As space shortages arise, consider emergency alternatives such as using
parked air-conditioned buses, trailers, or tents.
• Communities may also partner with closed businesses, such as movie
theaters or shopping malls, as alternative cooling sites.
Air Filtration
• Centers should be equipped with air exchange systems and be in
buildings with tall ceilings when possible.
• Utilize the highest efficiency filters that are compatible with the cooling
center’s existing HVAC system and adopt clean-to-dirty directional
airflows.
• Ceiling fans with upward airflow rotation combined with upper-air
ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) disinfection systems can be
utilized.
• When conditions allow (low humidity), shaded outdoor spaces with cross-
draft airflow augmented by evaporative coolers may provide a safer
alternative.
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Cleaning
• Follow the CDPH Effective Cleaning Strategies, and clean facilities if
someone is sick.
• Continue routine cleaning and disinfection (every day if possible) with a
focus on high touch surfaces, including those in common areas and
bathrooms. All viruses can survive for several days on non-porous
surfaces.
Communication
• Enhance communication about infectious disease onsite.
• Use health messages and materials developed by credible public health
sources, such as your local and state public health departments or CDC.
• Share or post infectious disease posters and CDC Fact Sheets and keep
your visitors informed about public health recommendations to prevent
disease spread. Messaging may include:
o Posting signs at entrances and in strategic places providing instruction
on hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette, and cloth face
coverings.
o Providing educational materials about infectious disease for non-
English speakers, as needed.
o Encouraging ill staff and volunteers to stay home (or be sent home if
they develop symptoms while at the facility) to prevent transmitting the
infection to others.
• Identify and address potential language, cultural, and disability barriers
associated with communicating infectious disease information to workers,
volunteers, and those visiting cooling/warming centers.
Prevention Supplies
• Provide infectious disease prevention supplies onsite at centers, if
available.
• Have supplies on hand for staff, volunteers, and visitors, such as soap,
alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol, tissues,
trash liners, gloves, face shields, masks, and gowns.
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• Visitors and staff should wear a cloth face covering, or if supplies are
available, be given a clean disposable facemask, even if they are not
showing any symptoms.
• Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age
two, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated
or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• Place posters that encourage hand hygiene to help stop the spread of
viruses at the entrance to the facility, at sinks in restrooms, and in other
areas where they are likely to be seen.
• If water bottles are distributed at the center, ensure visitors do not share
bottles or glasses and other drinking accessories.
This annex utilizes information from the Center for Disease Controls COVID-19
and Cooling Centers guidance and the California Department of Public Health
Guidance for Cooling Centers on COVID-19.
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Appendix K: Authorities
Government Code Sections (within the Emergency Services Act, Chapter 7,
Division 1, Title 2):
• Section 8630(a): A local emergency may be proclaimed only by the
governing body of a city, county, or city and county, or by an official
designated by ordinance adopted by that governing body.
The local health officer may proclaim a local emergency if he or she has been
specifically designated to do so by ordinance adopted by the governing body
of the jurisdiction.
• Section 8558(c): Local emergency means the duly proclaimed existence
of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and
property within the territorial limits of a county, city and county, or city,
caused by conditions such as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot,
drought, cyberterrorism, sudden and severe energy shortage, plant or
animal infestation or disease, the Governor’s warning of an earthquake or
volcanic prediction, or an earthquake, or other conditions, other than
conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which are or are likely to be
beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of
that political subdivision and require the combined forces of other
political subdivisions to combat, or with respect to regulated energy
utilities, a sudden and severe energy shortage requires extraordinary
measures beyond the authority vested in the California PUC.
It is possible to proclaim a local emergency for health-related reasons.
• Section 8625: The Governor is hereby empowered to proclaim a state of
emergency in an area affected or likely to be affected thereby when:
(a) The Governor finds that circumstances described in subdivision (b)
of Section 8558 exist; and either
(b) The Governor is requested to do so (1) in the case of a city by the
mayor or chief executive, (2) in the case of a county by the
chairman of the board of supervisors or the county administrative
officer; or
(c) The Governor finds that local authority is inadequate to cope with
the emergency.
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Government Code Section 8588.15:
Government Code Section 8588.15 requires the incorporation of the disability
community into the California Standardized Emergency Management System
(SEMS) via representatives on the SEMS specialist committees and technical
group. It also addresses funding needs for expanded emergency alerting
technology in order to ensure early alert and warning to all the disability
community, especially the blind, persons with sensory or cognitive disabilities,
and/or vision impaired population. Early emergency alert information in
emergencies and/or disasters is critical to the disability community, for example,
in the case of mandatory evacuations.
Health and Safety Code Section:
• Section 101040: Authority to take preventive measures during emergency.
The local health officer may take any preventive measure that may be
necessary to protect and preserve the public health from any public
health hazard during any state of war emergency, state of emergency, or
local emergency, as defined by Section 8558 of the Government Code,
within his or her jurisdiction.
Preventive measure means abatement, correction, removal or any other
protective step that may be taken against any public health hazard that is
caused by a disaster and affects the public health.
The local health officer, upon consent of the county board of supervisors or a
city governing body, may certify any public health hazard resulting from any
disaster condition if certification is required for any federal or state disaster relief
program.
• Section 101475: Gives a city public health officer authority to take
preventive measures to protect public health.
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Appendix L: Definitions
Access and Functional Needs – As defined by Gov Code, §8593.3, consists of
individuals who have developmental or intellectual disabilities, physical
disabilities, chronic conditions, injuries, limited English proficiency or who are non-
English speaking, older adults, children, people living in institutionalized settings,
or those who are low income, homeless, or transportation disadvantaged,
including, but not limited to, those who are dependent on public transit or those
who are pregnant.
Acclimatization - The process of becoming accustomed to a new condition
(e.g., temperature, weather, altitude, physical environments, geographical
environments, etc.).
Activation - 1) Initial activation of an EOC may be accomplished by a
designated official of the emergency response agency that implements SEMS as
appropriate to accomplish the agency's role in response to the emergency. 2)
An event in the sequence of events normally experienced during most
emergencies.
Agency - A division of government with a specific function offering a particular
kind of assistance. In the Incident Command System (ICS), agencies are defined
either as jurisdictional (having statutory responsibility for incident management)
or as assisting or cooperating (providing resources or other assistance).
Governmental organizations are most often in charge of an incident, though in
certain circumstances private sector organizations may be included.
Additionally, NGO may be included to provide support.
Balancing Authority - A balancing authority is responsible for operating a
transmission control area. It matches generation with load and maintains
consistent electric frequency of the grid, even during extreme weather
conditions or natural disasters.
Communication(s) - Process of transmitting information through verbal, visual,
written, or symbolic means.
Contingency Plan - Refers to a subset of an existing emergency plan focused on
addressing the particulars of a specific emergency scenario (e.g., earthquake,
flood, etc.).
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Cooling Center(s) - Facilities that are made available by public, private, and
volunteer organizations as a heat relief station. There is no agreement that these
facilities will be exempt from power outages.
Coordination Center - Term used to describe any facility used for the
coordination of agency or jurisdictional resources in support of one or more
incidents.
Department Operations Center (DOC) - An Emergency Operations Center
(EOC), specific to a single department or agency where the focus is on internal
agency incident management and response. They are often linked to and, in
most cases, are physically represented in a combined agency EOC by
authorized agent(s) for the department or agency.
Disaster(s) - A sudden calamitous emergency event bringing great damage,
loss, or destruction.
Emergency - Any incident(s), whether natural or human-caused, that requires
responsive action to protect life or property. Under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, an emergency means any occasion or
instance for which, in the determination of the President, federal assistance is
needed to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save lives,
protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of
a catastrophe in any part of the United States.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) - The physical location at which the
coordination of information and resources to support incident management
(on-scene operations) activities normally take place. An EOC may be a
temporary facility or may be in a more central or permanently established
facility, perhaps at a higher level of organization within a jurisdiction. EOC may
be organized by major functional disciplines (e.g., fire, law enforcement, and
medical services), by jurisdiction (e.g., federal, state, regional, tribal, city,
county), or some combination thereof.
Emergency Plan(s) - As defined in Government Code §8560 (a) Emergency
Plans means those official and approved documents which describe the
principles and methods to be applied in carrying out emergency operations or
rendering mutual aid during emergencies. These plans include such elements as
continuity of government, the emergency services of governmental agencies,
mobilization of resources, mutual aid, and public information.
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Emergency Response Agency - Any organization responding to an emergency,
or providing mutual aid support to such an organization, whether in the field, at
the scene of an incident, or to an operations center.
Energy Emergency Alert Watch - Analysis shows all available resources are
committed or forecasted to be in use, and energy deficiencies are expected.
Market participants are encouraged to offer supplemental energy. This notice
can be issued the day before the projected shortfall or if a sudden event
occurs.
Energy Emergency Alert 1 - Real-time analysis shows all resources are in use or
committed for use, and energy deficiencies are expected. Market participants
are encouraged to offer supplemental energy and ancillary service bids.
Consumers are encouraged to conserve energy.
Energy Emergency Alert 2 - ISO requests emergency energy from all resources
and has activated its emergency demand response program. Consumers are
urged to conserve energy to help preserve grid reliability.
Energy Emergency Alert 3 - ISO is unable to meet minimum Contingency
Reserve requirements and controlled power curtailments are imminent or in
progress according to each utility’s emergency plan. Maximum conservation by
consumers requested.
Evacuation - Organized, phased, and supervised withdrawal, dispersal, or
removal of civilians from dangerous or potentially dangerous areas and their
reception and care in safe areas.
Excessive Heat Warning - An excessive heat warning means that many
individuals can be affected, some seriously, by heat if precautions are not
taken.
Excessive Heat Watch - An NWS product that is issued 36-48 hours prior to an
event to give advance notice of the possibility of excessively hot conditions.
Criteria match those of an Excessive Heat Warning.
Extreme Temperatures - Environmental temperatures (low or high) that are often
slower to develop, taking several days of continuous, oppressive extreme
temperatures before a significant or quantifiable impact is seen.
Federal - Of or pertaining to the federal government of the United States of
America.
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Freeze - A freeze is when the surface air temperature is expected to be 32°F or
below over a widespread area for a climatologically significant period of time.
Freeze/Hard Freeze Warnings - Surface temperatures are expected to drop
below freezing over a large area for an extended period of time, regardless of
whether or not frost develops.
Freeze/Hard Freeze Watch - A Freeze Watch is issued when there is a potential
for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next 24-36 hours and
may be issued in the autumn until the end of the growing season (marked by
the occurrence of first widespread freeze).
Hazard - Something that is potentially dangerous or harmful, often the root
cause of an unwanted outcome.
Heat Advisory - A heat advisory means that some individuals can be affected
by heat if precautions are not taken.
Heat Cramps - Symptoms: painful spasms usually in leg muscles and possibly the
abdomen, and heavy sweating.
Heat Exhaustion - Symptoms: heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale and
clammy skin, possible fainting, and vomiting. Normal temperature is possible.
Heat Index - A factor used to determine how hot it feels based on temperature
and relative humidity. Heat index values can be up to fifteen degrees higher
with exposure to direct sunlight. Heat index values assume calm wind conditions.
Hot dry winds can also increase heat index factors. NWS has determined that
the HI is no longer representative of California’s climate. Individuals in all levels of
government, the private sector, non-profit, and community-based organizations
are now urged to utilize HeatRisk as the NWS product of choice.
Heat Island - An urban area having a higher average temperature than its rural
surrounding due to the greater absorption, retention, and generation of heat by
its buildings, pavements, and human activities.
Heat Warning - An excessive heat warning means that many individuals can be
affected, some seriously, by heat if precautions are not taken.
HeatRisk - The NWS is producing experimental forecasts which provide daily
guidance on potential heat risks, out to 7 days. This risk is assessed by comparing
the official NWS temperature forecast to local thresholds which change through
the year based on climatology.
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Heat Stroke - An individual medical condition with symptoms of high body
temperature (106°F or higher), hot, dry skin, rapid and strong pulse, and possible
unconsciousness.
Heat Wave (Extreme / Excessive Heat Event) - When temperatures reach 10°F or
greater above the average high temperature for the region, last, or predicted
to last, for a prolonged period of time. A heat wave is often accompanied by
high humidity.
Incident Command System (ICS) - A standardized on-scene emergency
management construct specifically designed to provide for the adoption of an
integrated organizational structure that reflects the complexity and demands of
single or multiple incidents, without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.
ICS is the combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and
communications operating within a common organizational structure, designed
to aid in the management of resources during incidents.
Joint Information Center - A centralized facility for coordinating an organized,
integrated, release of critical emergency information, crisis communications and
public affairs functions, which is timely, accurate, and consistent.
Local Emergency - As defined in Government Code Section 8558 (c) local
emergency means the duly proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of
extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of a
county, city and county, or city, caused by such conditions as air pollution, fire,
flood, storm, epidemic, riot, drought, sudden and severe energy shortage, plant
or animal infestation or disease, the Governor's warning of an earthquake or
volcanic prediction, or an earthquake, or other conditions, other than
conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which are or are likely to be
beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of that
political subdivision and require the combined forces of other political
subdivisions to combat, or with respect to regulated energy utilities, a sudden
and severe energy shortage requires extraordinary measures beyond the
authority vested in the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
Local Government - As defined in SEMS regulations, is a city, county, city and
county, school district, or special district.
Mitigation - Provide a critical foundation in the effort to reduce the loss of life
and property from natural and/or human-caused disasters by avoiding or
lessening the impact of a disaster and providing value to the public by creating
safer communities. Mitigation seeks to fix the cycle of disaster damage,
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reconstruction, and repeated damage. These activities or actions, in most
cases, will have a long-term sustained effect.
Mutual Aid Agreements and/or Assistance Agreements - Written or oral
agreements between and among agencies/organizations and/or jurisdictions
that provide a mechanism to quickly obtain emergency assistance in the form
of personnel, equipment, materials, and other associated services. The primary
objective is to facilitate rapid, short-term deployment of emergency support
prior to, during, and/or after an incident.
National Incident Management System (NIMS) - Provides a systematic, proactive
federal approach guiding government agencies at all levels, the private sector,
and NGO to work seamlessly to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover
from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or
complexity, to reduce the loss of life or property and harm to the environment.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) - An entity with an association based
on the interests of its members, individuals, or institutions. It is not created by a
government, but it may work cooperatively with the government. Such
organizations serve a public purpose, not a private benefit. Examples of NGO
include faith-based charity organizations and the American Red Cross.
Operational Area (OA) - As defined in Government Code Section 8559 (b), an
operational area is an intermediate level of the state emergency services
organization, consisting of a county and all political subdivisions within the
county area.
Organization - Any association or group of persons with like objectives. Examples
include, but are not limited to, governmental departments and agencies,
private sector, and/or nongovernmental organizations.
Partner emails - Emails distributed by the National Weather Service to alert
governmental and other response agencies containing weather forecasting
notification information, charts, maps, graphs, and any other pertinent
situational awareness information.
Private Sector - Organizations and entities that are not part of any governmental
structure. The private sector includes for-profit and not-for-profit organizations,
formal and informal structures, commerce, and industry.
Protocols - Sets of established guidelines for actions (which may be designated
by individuals, teams, functions, or capabilities) under various specified
conditions.
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Public Information - Processes, procedures, and systems for communicating
timely, accurate, and accessible information on the incident’s cause, size, and
current situation; resources committed; and other matters of general interest to
the public, responders, and additional stakeholders (both directly affected and
indirectly affected).
Public Information Officer (PIO) - A member of the Command Staff
(Management Staff at the SEMS EOC Levels) responsible for interfacing with the
public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information
requirements.
Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) – A preventative measure of last resort if an
electric utility reasonably believes that there is an imminent and significant risk
that strong winds may topple power lines or cause major vegetation-related
issues leading to increased risk of fire.
Relative Humidity - the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor to the
equilibrium vapor pressure of water at a given temperature. Relative humidity
depends on temperature and the pressure of the system of interest. The same
amount of water vapor results in higher relative humidity in cool air than warm
air.
Rolling or Rotating Blackout - A process of cutting off service to selected
customers for a predetermined period (usually not more than two hours) to
retain the integrity of the power grid.
Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) – A tool developed by the CDC that evaluates
social factors in a community, such as poverty, lack of access to transportation,
and crowded housing that may weaken that community’s ability to prevent
human suffering and financial loss in a disaster. The Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the GRASP created SVI databases to help
emergency response planners and public health officials identify and map
communities that will most likely need support before, during, and after a
hazardous event.
Stafford Act - The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act (Stafford Act) establishes the programs and processes for the federal
government to provide disaster and emergency assistance to states, local
governments, tribal nations, individuals, and qualified private nonprofit
organizations. The provisions of the Stafford Act cover all hazards including
natural disasters and terrorist events. Relevant provisions of the Stafford Act
include a process for Governors to request federal disaster and emergency
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assistance from the President. The President may declare a major disaster or
emergency.
Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) - A system required by
California Government Code and established by regulations for managing
response to multiagency and multijurisdictional emergencies in California. SEMS
consists of five organizational levels, which are activated as necessary: field
response, local government, operational area, region, and state. Based upon
the Incident Management System (ICS), the Multi-Agency Coordination System
(MACS), the OA concept, and the Master Mutual Aid Agreement and related
mutual aid systems.
State Operations Center (SOC) - The SOC is operated by the California
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services at the State Level in SEMS. It is
responsible for centralized coordination of state resources. It is also responsible
for providing updated situation reports to the Governor and Legislature.
State Emergency Plan - As defined in Government Code Section 8560 (b), the
State of California Emergency Plan as approved by the Governor. Where in
effect as defined in Government Code §8568, the State Emergency Plan shall
be in effect in each political subdivision of the state, and the governing body of
each political subdivision shall take such action as may be necessary to carry
out the provisions thereof.
State of Emergency - As defined in Government Code Section 8558 (b), state of
emergency means the duly proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of
extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the state caused by
conditions such as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot, drought,
cyberterrorism, sudden and severe energy shortage, plant or animal infestation
or disease, the Governor’s warning of an earthquake or volcanic prediction, or
an earthquake, or other conditions, other than conditions resulting from a labor
controversy or conditions causing a state of war emergency, which, by reason
of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services,
personnel, equipment, and facilities of any single county, city and county, or
city and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to
combat, or with respect to regulated energy utilities, a sudden and severe
energy shortage requires extraordinary measures beyond the authority vested in
the CPUC.
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A state of emergency proclamation by the Governor is warranted when:
• There exists conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of
persons, which, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be
beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of
any single county, city and county, or city and require the combined
forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat, or with respect to
regulated energy utilities, a sudden and severe energy shortage requires
extraordinary measures beyond the authority vested in the California PUC
[Government Code Sections 8558(b)and 8625]; or
• The Governor is requested to do so by the mayor of a city or the chairman
of the county board of supervisors or the county administrative officer; or
• The Governor finds that local authority is inadequate to cope with the
emergency; and
• Local emergency response costs are significant to make these costs
eligible for reimbursable under the California Disaster Assistance Act or as
a prerequisite for a request for federal disaster assistance for state and
local governments.
Warming Centers - a short-term emergency shelter that operates when
temperatures or a combination of precipitation, wind chill, wind and
temperature become dangerously inclement.
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Appendix M: Acronyms List
Acronyms used throughout this plan and their full names are listed below as they
appear in the document:
ADA American Disabilities Act
AFN Access and Functional Needs
ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
APD Adult Programs Division (part of CDSS)
BANC Balancing Authority of Northern California
BCHS Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency
CAHAN California Health Alert Network
CA ISO California Independent System Operator
CAPA California Association of Public Authorities
Cal OES California Office of Emergency Services
CalEPA California Environmental Protection Agency
Caltrans California Department of Transportation
CalWORKs California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids
CCLD Community Care Licensing Division (part of CDSS)
CDA California Department of Aging
CDE California Department of Education
CDFA California Department of Food & Agriculture
CDPH California Department of Public Health
CDSS California Department of Social Services
CERT Community Emergency Response Team
CFILC California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
CHHSA California Health and Human Services Agency
CLETS California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System
CMD California Military Department (Cal Guard)
CPUC California Public Utilities Commission
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CSBG Community Service Block Grants
CSD Community Services & Development
CSWC California State Warning Center
CUEA California Utilities Emergency Association
DDS Department of Developmental Services
DGS Department of General Services
DHCS Department of Health Care Services
DOC Department Operations Center
DOR Department of Rehabilitation
DSB Disaster Services Branch (part of CDSS)
DSH Department of State Hospitals
D-SNAP Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
EDD Employment Development Department
EDIS Emergency Digital Information System
EFAP Emergency Food Assistance Program
EIDL Economic Injury Disaster Loans
EMPG Emergency Management Program Grant
EMSA California Emergency Medical Services Agency
EOC Emergency Operations Center
EPO Emergency Preparedness Office (part of CDPH)
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
GRASP Geospatial Research, Analysis, and Services Program
HCD Department of Housing and Community Development
HI Heat Index
IA Individual Assistance
ICF Intermediate Care Facilities
ICS Incident Command System
IDE Initial Damage Estimates
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IHSS/APS In-Home Supportive Services/Adult Protective Services
IID Imperial Irrigation District
ILC Independent Living Centers
ISO California Independent System Operator
LAC Local Assistance Center
LADWP Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
LEMSA Local Emergency Medical Services Agency
LIHEAP Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program
LIWP Low Income Weatherization Program
MACs Multi-Agency Coordination
MARAC Mutual Aid Regional Advisory Committee
MHOAC Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator
MHP Mental Health Practitioner
MHRC Mental Health Regional Coordinator (Center)
NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations
NIMS National Incident Management System
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NWS National Weather Service
OA Operational Area
OAFN Cal OES Office of Access and Functional Needs
OCCPA Cal OES Office of Crisis Communications and Public Affairs
OEHHA California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
OPA Office of Public Affairs (part of CDPH)
PDA Preliminary Damage Assessment
PHF Psychiatric Health Facilities
PIO Public Information Office (Officer)
PSAs Public Service Announcements
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PUC Public Utilities Commission
RDMHC Regional Disaster Medical Health Coordinator
RDMHS Regional Disaster Medical Health Specialist
SBA Small Business Administration
SBC Southern Baptist Convention
SEMS Standardized Emergency Management System
SNFs Skilled Nursing Facilities
SOC State Operations Center (Cal OES)
SRO Single Resident Occupancy
TID Turlock Irrigation District
TTY / TDD Teletype / Telecommunications Device for the Deaf
UCG Unified Coordination Group
USDA US Department of Agriculture
WALC Western Area Power Administration, Lower Colorado
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Appendix N: Helpful Resources and Web Site References
• State of California Emergency Plan & Emergency Support Functions at
https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-the-director/operations/planning-
preparedness-prevention/planning-preparedness/state-of-california-
emergency-plan-emergency-support-functions/
• The 2018 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) at
https://www.caloes.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/002-2018-
SHMP_FINAL_ENTIRE-PLAN.pdf
• Cal/OSHA heat illness prevention regulations and related information at
http://www.dir.ca.gov
• Electric Power Disruption Toolkit for Local Government, Office of
Emergency Services, June, 2012 at https://www.caloes.ca.gov/wp-
content/uploads/Preparedness/Documents/Electric-Power-Disruption-
Toolkit-January-2020-FINAL.pdf
• NWS Experimental HeatRisk: Identifying Potential Heat Risks in the Seven
Day Forecast Excessive Heat Events Website at
https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/wrh/heatrisk/
• Heat wave: A Major Summer Killer, NWS Publication,
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/heat_wave.shtml
• California Department of Food and Agriculture Animal Disease
Emergency Management Program on the CDFA website
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Animal_Health/Emergency_Manageme
nt.h
• California Department of Public Health Effective Cleaning Strategies
September 26, 2018
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/HAI/Pages/EnvironCleanEffe
ctiveCleaningStrategies.aspx
• Center for Disease Controls COVID-19 and Cooling Centers, April 11, 2020
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/cooling-center.htm
• California Department of Public Health Guidance for Cooling Centers on
COVID-19,
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-
19/GuidanceforCoolingCenters.aspx.
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• ATSDR’s, CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) webpage
https://svi.cdc.gov/factsheet.html.
• California Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Understanding the
Urban Heat Island Index. Retrieved from CalEPA:
https://calepa.ca.gov/climate/urban-heat-island-index-for-
california/understanding-the-urban-heat-island-index/
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2016). Excessive
Heat Events Guidebook. Retrieved from EPA:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-
03/documents/eheguide_final.pdf
