BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 918
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Date of Hearing: April 24, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Isadore Hall, Chair
AB 918 (Cooley) - As Amended: April 17, 2013
SUBJECT : Emergency services: preparedness
SUMMARY : Requires the Office of Emergency Services (OES), on
or before July 31, 2015, to update the State Emergency Plan to
include proposed best practices for local governments and
nongovernmental entities to use to mobilize and evacuate senior
citizens and disabled persons during an emergency or natural
disaster.
EXISTING LAW
1)Establishes the OES by the Governor's Reorganization Plan
No.2, operative July 1, 2013.
2)Requires OES to perform a variety of duties with respect to
specified emergency preparedness, mitigation, and response
activities in the state, including emergency medical services.
3)Specifies that 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.
4)Requires the Governor to coordinate the State Emergency Plan
and those programs necessary to mitigate the effects of an
emergency.
5)Requires the Governor to coordinate the preparation of plans
and programs for the mitigation of the effects of an emergency
by the political subdivisions of the State of California, such
plans and programs to be integrated into and coordinated with
the State Emergency Plan and the plans and programs of the
federal government and of other states to the fullest possible
extent.
6)Specifies that the Governor may, in accordance with the State
Emergency Plan and programs for the mitigation of the effects
of an emergency in this state:
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a) Ascertain the requirements of the state or its political
subdivisions for food, clothing, and other necessities of
life in an event of an emergency.
b) Plan for, procure, and pre-position supplies, medicines,
materials, and equipment.
c) Use and employ any of the property, services, and
resources of the state.
d) Provide for the approval of local emergency plans.
e) Provide for mobile support units.
f) Provide for use of public airports.
g) Institute training programs and public information
programs.
h) Make surveys of the industries, resources, and
facilities, both public and private, within the state.
i) Plan for the use of any private facilities, services,
and property and, when necessary, and when in fact used,
provide for payment for that use under the terms and
conditions as may be agreed upon.
j) Take all other preparatory steps, including the partial
or full mobilization of emergency organizations in advance
of an actual emergency; and order those test exercises
needed to insure the furnishing of adequately trained and
equipped personnel in time of need
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS :
Purpose of the bill : According to the author many disabled
persons and seniors live alone or in circumstances that require
special planning because many are physically unable to help
themselves in the event of an emergency.
The California State Emergency Plan is coordinated through the
California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA). The Cal EMA
will become the OES, effective July 1, 2013. The plan was last
updated in 2009; it is scheduled to be updated in 2014.
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Currently, little of the plan is dedicated to senior citizens
and functional needs persons.
AB 918 increases local preparedness in the event of an emergency
or natural disaster by directing the OES to include in the State
Emergency Plan best practice procedures regarding emergency and
evacuation procedures for senior citizens and functional needs
persons. These best practices may be used by local governmental
and nongovernmental entities in order to prepare for an
emergency or in the event of an emergency.
State Emergency Plan : The State of California Emergency Plan
addresses the state's response to extraordinary emergency
situations associated with natural disasters or human-caused
emergencies. In accordance with the California Emergency
Services Act, the plan describes the methods for carrying out
emergency operations, the process for rendering mutual aid, the
emergency services of governmental agencies, how resources are
mobilized, how the public will be informed and the process to
ensure continuity of government during and emergency or
disaster.
The plan is a management document intended to be read and
understood before an emergency occurs. It is designed to
outline the activities of all California jurisdictions within a
statewide emergency management system and it embraces the
capabilities and resources in the broader emergency management
community that includes individuals, businesses,
non-governmental organizations, tribal governments, other
states, federal government and international assistance.
Background : Emergencies and natural disasters are especially
troubling for seniors or individuals with disabilities. During
emergencies, these individuals may be cut off from their usual
resources and have additional difficulties or conditions that
result from the emergency situation, such as: lack of essential
medications; inability to access durable medical equipment or
consumable medical supplies, fatigue, hunger, respiratory
distress, or trauma. During emergency situation seniors and
persons with disabilities may need assistance for tasks they
could normally accomplish without assistance.
Elderly/disability population in California : According to the
2010 Census, over 4.2 million people in California are over the
age of 65. Of those, roughly 700,000 are over the age of 85.
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When compared to the 2000 census, that represents an increase of
18.1% in the 65 and older population and an increase of 41.2% of
individuals over the age of 85. Taking into consideration that
the overall population in California increased by only 10%, it
is safe to say that the population in California will continue
to get older as life expectancy increases and baby boomers
continue to reach retirement age. Therefore, it is no surprise
that in 2008, the Public Policy Institute of California
estimated that by 2030, the number of seniors will double and
one in every five Californians will be over the age of 65.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, in
2009 there were roughly 4.8 million individuals 18 and older who
had some type of disability. Of those 1.4 million were between
the age of 18-44, 2 million between the age 45-65, and 1.4
million over the age of 65.
Arguments in support : According to the sponsor, the California
Senior Legislature, this bill would direct OES to include, in
their updated State Emergency Plan, language related to best
practice procedures regarding emergency and evacuation
procedures for possible use by local governmental and
non-governmental entities specific to senior citizens and
functional needs persons. Supporters also claim this bill will
help to protect vulnerable groups during an emergency or
disaster.
Suggested amendment : The California Emergency Management Agency
has over the years worked to develop tools and planning in a
collaborative manner that engages stakeholders and reflects
community needs. Some of that work has been focused on
providing consistent terminology throughout their various
plans/reports. Therefore, the committee may wish to consider
the following amendment, beginning on page 2, line 10, to
continue that consistency.
8570.3. On or before July 31, 2015, the Office of Emergency
Services shall update the State Emergency Plan to include
proposed best practices for local governments and
nongovernmental entities to use to mobilize and evacuate
senior citizens and disabled persons people with
disabilities and others with access and functional needs
during an emergency or natural disaster.
Prior legislation : AB 2051 (Tran), 2009-2010 Legislative
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Session. The bill would have authorized the California
Emergency Management Agency to prepare, in voluntary cooperation
with specific local governmental and nongovernmental entities, a
specialized plan to mobilize senior citizens and disabled
persons during an emergency or natural disaster. (Held in
Senate Appropriations Committee)
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Association for Health Services at Home
California Senior Legislature (Sponsor)
Consumer Federation of California
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Felipe Lopez / G. O. / (916) 319-2531