Committees: Local, State, and National
There are committees focused on emergency response work for Los Angeles within the structure of the government at different levels, including the local, county, and state levels.
California Committees
At the state level, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has the Statewide Emergency Planning Committee, providing a platform for the issues that Los Angeles is facing to be brought to the attention of those across the state. From their website:
“The Statewide Emergency Planning Committee (SWEPC) is an informal organization comprised primarily of state agency emergency liaison personnel. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) coordinates SWEPC and holds meetings in Sacramento.
California Government, CA.gov
SWEPC provides an opportunity for participating local, state and federal agencies to disseminate information, express concerns, or develop ideas concerning emergency management in California. The SWEPC forum is ideal for sharing information, brainstorming, problem solving and for the discussion of specific, emergency management issues.”
More detailed information about SWEPC can be found here.
Los Angeles Committees
For Los Angeles County, the government of Los Angeles has the Emergency Management Department (EMD):
“The Emergency Management Department has five divisions comprised of administrative staff and specialists that work with City departments, municipalities and an array of community-based organizations to ensure that the City and its residents have the resources and information they need to prepare, respond and recover from emergencies, disasters and significant events.”
City of Los Angeles, emergency.lacity.org
Overseeing the work of the EMD is the Emergency Management Committee (EMC). Meeting agendas and notes for the EMC can be found here.
Neighborhood Committees
Within Los Angeles County, every local neighborhood council has their own committee surrounding emergency response, emergency preparedness, public health and/or public safety. The neighborhood council for a specific place can be found by entering an address or intersection at this page here.
After finding the specific neighborhood council, the neighborhood council will have their information on EmpowerLA (the Los Angeles Department of Neighborhood Empowerment).
“The mission of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment is to promote increased citizen participation in government and make government more responsive to local needs through the creation of a citywide system of Neighborhood Councils.”
Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, empowerla.org
Information about the neighborhood council’s committee for disaster response and Community Emergency Preparedness Contact can be found through EmpowerLA, which can also be access though their website here.