Welcome to the State of California

Contacts: Cal/EPA Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness

Two OES firefighters inspect homes lost in a fire.Cal/EPA’s Emergency Response Management Committee (ERMAC) is responsible for planning, training, and coordinating Cal/EPA’s emergency response and recovery activities.

Cal/EPA’s emergency response and recovery responsibilities mirror the Agency’s mission-essential tasks of protecting public health and the environment:

  • Scientific support for toxicology, pesticide exposure and drift, aquatic and ecotoxicology, exposure and risk assessment
  • Debris management and regulatory consult
  • Technical and regulatory consultation for disinfection/decontamination
  • Air monitoring and modeling (with mobile and stationary lab capabilities)
  • Mobile and stationary chemical identification capabilities
  • Emergency removals from clandestine drug labs
  • Technical support for surface and groundwater contamination

Our efforts are in support of local emergency management and incident command. The Cal/EPA Emergency Operations Center may be activated by authority of the Secretary or at request of OES.

Cal/EPA, Office of the Secretary
Don Johnson

Air Resources Board
Greg Vlasek | Shelley DuTeaux (alternate)

Department of Pesticide Regulation
Steven Monk | Eileen Mahoney (alternate)

Department of Toxic Substances Control
Adam Palmer | Nancy McGee

Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
Karen RivelesSusan Klasing (alternate)

State and Regional Water Boards
Antonia Vorster | Duncan Austin (alternate)

Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness

Last updated: November 8, 2011 
California Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.calepa.ca.gov
General Public Contact, cepacomm@calepa.ca.gov (916) 323-2514
Technical Contact, webmaster@calepa.ca.gov