Now is the Time for Unified State Disaster Preparedness
Assemblymember Pedro Nava
September 06, 2007
Passage of AB 38 Critical to Protection for California.
George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” When examining the success and failures of our government, we must learn from our past triumphs and mistakes.
Assembly Bill 38, reforms the way California provides disaster preparedness, response and recovery. It avoids the mistakes of the past. Now is the time to create an all-hazards state entity that will oversee the state response to both natural disasters and acts of terrorism.
I was in office one week when disastrous slides struck La Conchita in my district. Ten people died, numerous homes were buried under mud and many tears were shed. I was thrust into the world of emergency preparedness and disaster response. For the past three years I have been learning from experts how to improve California’s emergency preparedness and response.
I learned disaster preparedness in California is not as it should be. As Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security, and after three years of work, I introduced AB 38. It creates a stand alone Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security. Because it includes a cabinet-level position, it would have a direct line to the Governor. It would endow our state with an all-hazards one-stop-shop for the men and women on our front lines of emergency preparedness and response.
California’s first responders have asked me “Who is in charge?” California cannot repeat Hurricane Katrina. Fires have already ravaged our state and more are predicted. We need one department that can provide efficient, effective guidance and support.
I am not alone in my views. The non partisan Little Hoover Commission, the State Auditor, and the non partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office agree reform is needed. Emergency managers, fire and law enforcement officials, local government, and utilities and transportation groups support this change.
AB 38 has bi-partisan support from Governor Schwarzenegger, the Office of Emergency Services, the Office of Homeland Security and the Legislature. Disasters don’t care about political parties. Victims aren’t Democrats or Republicans. Until recently, everyone agreed.
Yet, after three years of work, voluminous support and no opposition, AB 38 stalled in the Senate Public Safety Committee. But I have not given up, and will continue to fight for the creation of this new agency.
When AB 38 is passed, we will have one, focused advocate for critical federal homeland security funding that also brings over 35 years of proven disaster management to everything that nature has thrown our way. Our state should be responsive to all calamities, be they natural or acts of terrorism. California has long been a national and world leader in protecting its residents, and we now have an opportunity to improve this tradition.
Delay is another year of asking “who is in charge?” Delay means unnecessary risk. Californians deserve the best possible protection and AB 38 goes a long way to meet that goal.
Assemblymember Pedro Nava represents the 35th Assembly District, including Oxnard, Ventura and Santa Barbara. He is the Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security.
George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” When examining the success and failures of our government, we must learn from our past triumphs and mistakes.
Assembly Bill 38, reforms the way California provides disaster preparedness, response and recovery. It avoids the mistakes of the past. Now is the time to create an all-hazards state entity that will oversee the state response to both natural disasters and acts of terrorism.
I was in office one week when disastrous slides struck La Conchita in my district. Ten people died, numerous homes were buried under mud and many tears were shed. I was thrust into the world of emergency preparedness and disaster response. For the past three years I have been learning from experts how to improve California’s emergency preparedness and response.
I learned disaster preparedness in California is not as it should be. As Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security, and after three years of work, I introduced AB 38. It creates a stand alone Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security. Because it includes a cabinet-level position, it would have a direct line to the Governor. It would endow our state with an all-hazards one-stop-shop for the men and women on our front lines of emergency preparedness and response.
California’s first responders have asked me “Who is in charge?” California cannot repeat Hurricane Katrina. Fires have already ravaged our state and more are predicted. We need one department that can provide efficient, effective guidance and support.
I am not alone in my views. The non partisan Little Hoover Commission, the State Auditor, and the non partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office agree reform is needed. Emergency managers, fire and law enforcement officials, local government, and utilities and transportation groups support this change.
AB 38 has bi-partisan support from Governor Schwarzenegger, the Office of Emergency Services, the Office of Homeland Security and the Legislature. Disasters don’t care about political parties. Victims aren’t Democrats or Republicans. Until recently, everyone agreed.
Yet, after three years of work, voluminous support and no opposition, AB 38 stalled in the Senate Public Safety Committee. But I have not given up, and will continue to fight for the creation of this new agency.
When AB 38 is passed, we will have one, focused advocate for critical federal homeland security funding that also brings over 35 years of proven disaster management to everything that nature has thrown our way. Our state should be responsive to all calamities, be they natural or acts of terrorism. California has long been a national and world leader in protecting its residents, and we now have an opportunity to improve this tradition.
Delay is another year of asking “who is in charge?” Delay means unnecessary risk. Californians deserve the best possible protection and AB 38 goes a long way to meet that goal.
Assemblymember Pedro Nava represents the 35th Assembly District, including Oxnard, Ventura and Santa Barbara. He is the Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security.
Print
Email
