Water Emergency Preparedness
California Water Safety Priority 8
Goal: Ensure individuals and systems are prepared to prevent and respond to drowning incidents and community level water-related disasters.
Action Plans Expanded
Outline
Quantify Drownings in Disasters & Emergency Preparedness Plans
1. Inventory of threats to the public, their sources: Human caused & Natural hazards
2. Agencies for response, mutual aid & mitigation. Includes reporting statisticss, develop AAR’s & addressing gaps
3. Public Awareness Campaigns (Public Service Announcements) for Water Emergencies
#1 Inventory of threats to the public, their sources: Human caused & Natural hazards
Human Caused
Boating, MRO, Public Recreation Facilities, Infrastructure Development, Risky Behavior
Natural Hazards
Beach Currents
Dam Release
Flooding
Hurricanes or Storms
Hurricane and weather alert systems are designed to detect, forecast, and warn people about severe weather conditions such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and other natural disasters. These systems are critical in protecting people and property from the devastating effects of these events.
There are several types of alert systems available, including:
NOAA Weather Radio: A nationwide network of radio stations that broadcast continuous weather information from the National Weather Service. It provides alerts for severe weather conditions, including hurricanes, tornadoes, and flash floods. NOAA Weather Radio is available in many areas and can be accessed through a special receiver or a smartphone app12.
Emergency Alert System (EAS): A national public warning system that broadcasts emergency alerts to the public through radio and television stations, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and other sources. EAS alerts are issued by federal, state, and local authorities and can include weather alerts, AMBER alerts, and other emergency messages3.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): A public safety system that sends emergency alerts to compatible mobile devices in the affected area. WEA alerts are issued by authorized government agencies and can include severe weather alerts, AMBER alerts, and presidential alerts3.
Local Alerting Systems: Many local communities have their own alerting systems that provide information about severe weather conditions and other emergencies. These systems may include sirens, text messages, phone calls, and social media alerts3.
It’s important to stay informed about severe weather conditions and to have a plan in place in case of an emergency. You can find more information about emergency preparedness and alert systems on the websites of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Weather Service13.
Tsunami
Tsunami alert systems are systems that detect, forecast, and warn about tsunamis. They are designed to protect coastal communities from the devastating effects of these powerful waves. There are two main types of tsunami alert systems: international and regional.
**International tsunami alert systems** are coordinated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. They cover large ocean basins and involve many countries. They use seismic data from global networks to detect earthquakes that could generate tsunamis, and sea level data from shore-based tide gauges and deep-ocean buoys to confirm and measure the waves. They issue tsunami alerts to national authorities, who then decide how to inform and evacuate their populations. There are four international tsunami alert systems: the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System, the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System, the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System, and the North-Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Connected Seas Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System¹.
**Regional tsunami alert systems** are operated by individual countries or groups of countries within a specific region. They use local seismic and sea level data to provide faster and more accurate warnings for nearby areas. They may also use other sources of information, such as eyewitness reports, social media, or satellite imagery. They issue tsunami alerts to local authorities and the public, using various methods such as radio, television, sirens, text messages, or wireless emergency alerts. Some examples of regional tsunami alert systems are the U.S. Tsunami Warning System², the Japan Meteorological Agency Tsunami Warning System³, and the Australian Tsunami Warning System⁴.
(1) U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers. https://www.tsunami.gov/.
(2) U.S. tsunami warning system | National Oceanic and Atmospheric .... https://www.noaa.gov/explainers/us-tsunami-warning-system.
(3) Tsunami warning system - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunami_warning_system.
(4) U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers. https://www.tsunami.gov/?page=message_definitions.
Locations to focus specific actions include:
Bays, Connected Waterways, Other Maritime Locales
Canals, Inland Waterways, Lakes, Ponds, Rivers
Ocean- nearshore or offshore
Human-made Attractions, Pools, Waterparks,
Worgroup Promotional Video
#2 Agencies:
#2 Agencies
California Department of Water Resources
Established in 1956 by the California State Legislature, DWR protects, conserves, develops, and manages much of California's water supply. This includes the State Water Project (SWP), the nation’s largest state-built water conveyance program.
Areas of interest:
Army Corps of Engineering flood control planning
California Division of Boating and Waterways
California Boating Accident Statistics
Boating Safety Information and Calif. Boating Certification
Boating ABC’s, Regulations & Required Equipment
Boat Operator Training, Reports, Enforcement
Areas of Interest:
Map of all Cal Fire Agencies’ AOR
Accidents types & results by County
BoatCA app for rules, news, alerts
Directory of all Calif. boating facilities
California Fire Chiefs Association
CalChiefs is a large and diverse professional association whose vision is to be the voice of the California Fire Service. CalChiefs has representation on numerous statewide commissions, boards and committees such as the Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMSA), 9-1-1 Advisory Board, State Training Education & Accreditation Committee (STEAC), Firescope (CCS), State Board of Fire Services (SBFS) and others. We also maintain relationships with the League of Cities, Fire Districts Association of California (FDAC), California Professional Firefighters (CPF), California State Firefighters Association (CSFA), California Police Chiefs Association (CPCA), Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and others.
California Office of Emergency Services
The state is responsible for mitigating the effects of disasters and for protecting Californians’ lives and property.
Planning, Preparedness & Prevention Division
Calif. Mobilization Coordination Guide: w/ US Forrest Svc, F&W, BIA, BLM, Nat Park Service
Areas of Interest:
State Warning Center alerts, communications
US&R, Swiftwater and Flood Search & Rescue Teams
California Parks and Recreation
To provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.
State Park Aquatic Safety Guides
Firescope (FIrefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies)
The FIRESCOPE program originated in Southern California, organized under the acronym, “FIrefighting REsources of Southern California Organized for Potential Emergencies” in 1972. This consolidation represents all facets of local, rural, and metropolitan fire departments, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and federal fire agencies.
Firescope Maritime Sub-committee Plan of Work
Directory of California bodies of water & response type (Dec 2023)
NFPA (National Fire Protection Act)
NFPA codes and standards are developed by subject matter experts from around the globe and serve as the leading resource on fire, electrical, and life safety guidelines and requirements.
LISTOS CALIFORNIA
Listos California wants everyone to get ready and stay safe from wildfire, earthquakes, and floods. Let’s work together to establish more resilient communities and help all Californians to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters.
Resiliency and Community Readiness
Personal/Individual
Do you know your risks at home or work? Cal MyHazards
Do you have a plan? Plan
Do you have a kit? Kit
How will you know? Alerts
Do you signs of danger for water related disasters?
Community
What can you do at your work to support the community before, during, and after the disaster?
Does your work directly involve this response or could you be a resource?
Organizational
What could you do at work to make sure your coworkers and workplace are protected? Response Plan
What action can you do at work to stay safe and be available during the disaster? Continuity Plan
San Diego Hazard Dashboard
is not intended to provide direction or emergency instructions to the public. San Diegans are encouraged to always follow the guidance of local law enforcement during an emergency, specifically regarding emergency actions and evacuations. Local fire and law enforcement agencies will provide the most accurate information during regional emergencies or smaller localized events.
US Coast Guard
There are wide variety of programs and services provided by this sevice branch to address marine activity and role of the Pacific Coast Guard.
Recreational Boating Statistics in 2022
Strategic Plan, Recreational Boating Safety Program
Strategic Response Framework, 11th District
AMSC (Area Maritime Security Committee), HSC Coordination
US Coast Guard YouTube Channel
Areas of Interest:
1. Accident statistics by State (see above 2022 Statistics)
2. Executive Report, and observed trends
3. Emergency Response Guides (see above Strategic Response)
United States Lifesaving Association
The United States Lifesaving Association is America's nonprofit professional association of beach lifeguards and open water rescuers . The USLA works to reduce the incidence of death and injury in the aquatic environment through public education, national lifeguard standards, training programs, promotion of high levels of lifeguard readiness, and other means.
Rescue & Boat Response statistics
Lifeguarding Response Guidelines
Areas of interest:
Swiftwater & Technical Rescue Program Development USFA, FEMA
#3 PSA Campaigns for Water Emergencies
California Department of Water Resources (Dam Safety)
How to be Wave Safe at Any Beach