Overview

The California Office of Homeland Security (OHS) Planning, Research and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Division is an overarching division that coordinates and works with all divisions within OHS. PREP participates with planning efforts and strategy development internally and externally in order to achieve preparedness priorities related to Homeland Security and disasters. This is accomplished through supporting the eight National Preparedness Priorities and a capability and resource based approach. Capability-based planning allows the identification of gaps involving necessary plans, trained and credentialed personnel, resources, and equipment. Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8 (HSPD-8) is the National Preparedness Directive. The intent is “To achieve and sustain risk-based target levels of capability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from major events, and to minimize their impact on lives, property, and the economy, through systematic and prioritized efforts by federal, State, local and tribal entities, their private and non-governmental partners, and the general public.”

The Office of Homeland Security (OHS) works closely with federal, State, local, tribal and private entities for a coordinated effort with California’s planning. PREP actively participates on several planning and advisory committees that have been identified in the Coordination Strategy section of this document. As listed below, the goal of these committees is to provide several key elements specific to the particular committee for planning purposes. Specifics include:

• Developing a vision of where California is headed in an environment of uncertainty and risk
• Identifying priorities to guide near-term preparedness planning
• Using the capabilities-based approach to guide planning, assessment, training, exercises, evaluation, and resource allocation activities

The need for California preparedness advisory and planning committees exists because:

• Preparedness for major disasters and terrorism is a shared responsibility
• A major event will exceed the capacity of any single jurisdiction
• Capabilities cross jurisdictional and disciplinary boundaries
• A common framework is necessary to develop essential capabilities as a nation and as a State

Future goals of the OHS PREP Division include the following:

• Monitor international, national, and State news to remain informed of newly initiated laws, directives, and programs that affect homeland security in California
• Annually revise the State Homeland Security Strategy to ensure alignment with federal and State regulations
• Enhance existing partnerships and increase outreach to advisory boards, committees, panels, and special councils
• Continue program activities with the US-DHS Science and Technology Directorate to further develop and codify a process for vendors seeking assistance from the State and federal level related to homeland security and preparedness initiatives