Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Vice Chair, Senator Christine Kehoe to hold public hearing in the aftermath of the 2007 Southern California fires.   

The hearing will be on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 1 p.m. at the University of San Diego, Mother Rosalie Hill Hall Auditorium, Room 116 in San Diego.  The public hearing of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security is being held to assess the on-going recovery efforts in Southern California as well as emergency preparedness and response to this year’s devastating fires. 

“This is the second time in four years that the people of Southern California have been the victims of devastating fires,” stated Assemblymember Nava.  “Because it is one of the worst fire seasons on record, it is vital that we begin to assess our preparedness, response and recovery efforts regarding the fires, so that we can be even more prepared in the future.”   

“These fires caused the state’s first major series of evacuations with more than half a million people in the San Diego region alone forced out of their homes as flames raced across hundreds of thousands of acres,” said Senator Kehoe.  “The public wants to know what worked in fighting these fires and where improvements need to be made.  These hearings will begin that process.”

Who: Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security,
Assemblymember Pedro Nava, and Vice Chair, Senator Christine Kehoe, committee members, Director of CAL FIRE Ruben Grijalva, Director of OES Henry Renteria, OES Fire Chief Kim Zagaris, Major General William H. Wade, Adjutant General California National Guard and Chief Mike Warren, Chair, Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force, county and city fire chiefs

What: Joint Committee on Emergency Services & Homeland Security Hearing on 2007 Southern California Wildfires—Assessing response, recovery efforts and emergency preparedness

When: Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 1 p.m.

Where: University of San Diego, Mother Rosalie Hall Auditorium, Room 116,
School of Leadership & Education Science, 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego