County prepared for possible winter storms – Welcome to San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County is heading into winter far better prepared than it was almost two years ago when more than twice as much snow than was predicted fell on local mountain communities.

Shortly after the February-March 2023 snowstorms, the county began bolstering the operational and response capabilities of the Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the rest of the county organization. County Public Works also quickly secured the equipment needed to operate in and clear the amounts of snow unimagined in the local mountains prior to the 2023 blizzard.

Over 30 new pieces of heavy machinery, including loaders and blowers, have been added to the Public Works arsenal, bringing the total number to over 100 machines. This expanded fleet will enhance the county’s ability to respond to winter storms, clear roads and ensure public safety in mountain communities. Operators have undergone specialized training to maximize the efficiency of the new equipment, which will allow for quicker response times and more effective snow removal operations.

The equipment is staged across the county, ready for immediate mobilization as conditions demand. Staging equipment across the county is essential, allowing the county to clear roads and remove debris swiftly so emergency vehicles can access winter-affected communities and residents can evacuate safely if a disaster strikes.

Public Works has been actively participating in winter coordination meetings with partner agencies to ensure a seamless response across our mountain regions.

OES has been significantly restructured, nearly all vacant positions have been filled, and the county conducted a successful recruitment for a highly qualified OES director – Crisanta Gonzalez, who began her role with the county on Jan. 16. Gonzalez had most recently served as emergency services manager for the city of Los Angeles.

Gonzalez quickly strengthened or reestablished OES’s partnerships with first responder agencies and volunteer organizations and arranged to have a San Bernardino County Fire deputy chief present as part of the OES in-house team.

The effectiveness of these enhancements has been on full display during more recent emergencies, including the county’s successful response to this year’s Line and Bridge wildfires. OES, in partnership with county Public Works, has also taken a leadership role in preparing for any mudslides or debris flows that could result from rainfall in the recently burned areas.

As a part of her new role, Gonzalez has been tasked with providing strategic direction that enables the county to respond to, recover from and mitigate natural disasters and other emergencies and making certain the county’s emergency operating plans are updated and in compliance.

OES provides regular training sessions, workshops and simulation exercises tailored to the specific roles and responsibilities outlined in the EOP. These trainings focus on critical areas such as emergency coordination, resource management and decision-making processes. Additionally, OES conducts periodic reviews and updates of the EOP to incorporate lessons learned and evolving best practices, ensuring all stakeholders are equipped to respond to disasters efficiently and effectively.

OES is also working towards reestablishing the county Disaster Council in San Bernardino County. The Disaster Council is a formal body established to provide coordination, oversight and strategic guidance for disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts within the county. This council typically comprises representatives from county departments, local jurisdictions, community organizations and other key stakeholders.

Enhancing public communications has also been a focus over the past two years. Most visibly, the county put disaster readiness front and center by launching Preparedness Starts Here, a website and public awareness campaign to keep residents informed about what the county is doing to keep them safe while providing residents with the tools to prepare themselves and their loved ones for the many disasters to which the county is vulnerable.

The program centers on a new county website, prepare.sbcounty.gov, which serves as a hub for disaster resources from the Sheriff’s Department, County Fire, OES, Public Health and Public Works. It includes information and preparedness tools for each type of disaster as well as links to download the SBC Ready smartphone app, sign up for telephone emergency alerts, view weather warnings and obtain food assistance. Websites created for and specific to each active emergency can be accessed through the Preparedness Starts Here website, providing up-to-date information on the incident, damage, road conditions and resources for victims.

Additional County Update News – December 12, 2024