Laguna Beach Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Committee - December 1, 2025

December 1, 2025

Executive Summary

- The Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Committee (EDPC) met on February 2, 2026, to review emergency operations capabilities and community preparedness initiatives in response to the City's January 30, 2026 Strategic Planning Session. - The Committee approved a Letter of Support and Resolution recommending immediate establishment of a functional Emergency Operations Center (EOC) using the Community and Recreation Center (CRC) as a near-term option, with a flexible phased approach allowing future permanent placement. - The Committee recommended allocating $600,000-$800,000 from the Wildfire Safety Fund (balance: $2,381,447) in addition to $600,000 already identified for EOC readiness to complete immediate capability while preserving future flexibility. - Upcoming Community Preparedness & Evacuation Workshops were discussed as part of the City's enhanced emergency preparedness outreach. - The Committee received reports on South Coast Water District emergency recovery procedures, CERT volunteer operations updates including a new Standard Operating Procedures document, and SAWTI wildfire threat data showing critical moisture levels for California Sage (35.37) as of November 7, 2025.

Key Decisions

- Approved a Letter of Support recommending immediate establishment of a functional Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the City of Laguna Beach using the Community and Recreation Center (CRC) as an immediate, near-term option. - Approved a Resolution supporting a phased approach that includes rapid deployment of an operational EOC now, followed by continued evaluation of longer-term or permanent EOC placement as part of future capital projects, including potential integration into Fire Station No. 1. - Recommended utilizing approximately $600,000 in previously identified funding and allocat