ASSEMBLYMEMBER PEDRO NAVA
35TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
For Immediate Release: April 29, 2008
Contact: John Mann
Phone: (805) 483-9808

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security announced today the passage of Assembly Bill 38, legislation that will create a new Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security by consolidating two state agencies, the Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the Office of Homeland Security (OHS).   AB 38 passed the Senate Public Safety Committee.

The merger is based on recommendations made by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Little Hoover Commission, and the State Auditor, and is supported by a dozen policy hearings that Assemblymember Nava has convened as a member and as Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security.

“The time has come to reorganize the current state governance structure for matters of emergency preparedness and homeland security,” Nava stated.  “We now have two separate state entities responsible for different, although sometimes overlapping, duties in the areas of emergency preparedness and response, and homeland security.  By streamlining how OES and OHS are run, California will be more prepared for and better able to respond to earthquakes, floods, fires, tsunamis, and acts of terrorism, as well as public health disasters, such as pandemic flu.” 

A consolidated governance structure for OES and OHS will help eliminate confusion for local first responders about who to turn to in times of emergency.  It would also allow for the specific responsibilities of the two offices to be better defined.  This will reform both management and accountability, which have suffered under the current structure.  Most importantly, a streamlined system will help save the lives of Californians during times of peril. 

“I am pleased that the Governor is working with me to make sure that the residents of our State are protected,” said Nava.  “Together, we can ensure that California will be prepared for all disasters, be they natural or man-made.”