BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Senator Carol Liu, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 767
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|Author: |Santiago |
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|Version: |April 23, 2015 Hearing |
| |Date: June 10, 2015 |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant:|Olgalilia Ramirez |
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Subject: Community colleges: emergency preparedness standards
SUMMARY
This bill requires the California Community Colleges
Chancellor's Office (CCCCO) to review and update its emergency
preparedness standards in consultation with the Office of
Emergency Services by January 1, 2017.
BACKGROUND
Existing law requires the CCCCO, in consultation with the Office
of Emergency Services and the Office of Homeland Security, to
develop emergency preparedness standards by January 1, 2009, to
assist community college districts and campuses in the event of
a natural disaster, hazardous condition, or terrorist activity
on or around a community college campus, as specified.
(Education Code §71095)
ANALYSIS
This bill:
1)Requires the CCCCO, in consultation with the Office of Emergency
Services, to update its emergency preparedness standards and
guidelines, as specified, to assist community college
districts and campuses in the event of a natural disaster,
hazardous conditions, or terrorist activity on or around the
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campus.
2)Requires the CCCCO to consider including an active shooter
response plan to its existing emergency preparedness standards
and guidelines.
3)Requires the CCCCO, on or before January 1, 2017, and every five
years thereafter, to review and update the emergency standards
and guidelines developed, as necessary.
4)Makes technical changes to existing law.
STAFF COMMENTS
1)Need for the bill. A 2014 report published by the Federal Bureau
of Investigations (FBI), "A study of Active Shooter Incidents
in the U.S.," found that 25% of active shooter incidents from
2000-2013 occurred in an educational environment, the most
recent shooter incidents were on the campuses of University of
California at Santa Barbara, Seattle Pacific University,
Florida State University, and Wayne Community College in North
Carolina. Community college emergency preparedness standards
do not currently require inclusion of active shooter plans.
This bill attempts to ensure community colleges have an
adequate plan to respond to active shooter incidents by
incorporating the plan into the California Community Colleges
Chancellor's Office (CCCCO) emergency preparedness standards
and guidelines.
2)Existing Emergency Management Systems. This bill requires ongoing
review of emergency standards in order to ensure they align
with state and federal emergency management programs. These
programs include the following:
a) The Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) is a
state program required by the California Emergency Services
Act for managing multiagency and multijurisdictional
responses to emergencies in California. State agencies are
required to use SEMS and local government entities are
encouraged to use the system in order to be eligible for
any reimbursement of response-related costs under the
state's disaster assistance programs.
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b) The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a federal
program, developed by the Secretary of the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) that provides direction for each
level of government, the private sector, and
nongovernmental organizations to work together in
preparing, responding, recovering and mitigating domestic
incidents. The adoption and implementation of NIMS is a
condition for receiving federal preparedness assistance
through grants, contracts, and other activities.
In 2007, the CCCCO received a grant from DHS that led to the
creation of a disaster preparedness task force and various
activities around the state. According to the CCCCO, although
grant funds have since been exhausted, the ongoing maintenance
of existing standards and guidelines rely heavily on the
federal government. For example the CCCCO currently follows
procedures outlined in the NIMS 2011 five year plan and
intends to use the FBI's Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid
Response Training (ALERRT) program for resources that will
assist in adding an active shooter component, as specified in
this bill.
SUPPORT
American Red Cross
California Professional Firefighters
Faculty Association of California Community Colleges
OPPOSITION
None received.
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