PROPOSAL for
LHMP Update
PREPARED FOR
City of Barstow June 9, 2026
City of Barstow, City Clerk’s Office
Bruce English, Chief Resilience Officer / Fire Division Chief 220 East Mountain View Street, Suite A
Barstow, CA 92311
Dear Mr. English,
With this upcoming update to the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Barstow is taking an important opportunity to ensure the safety of both its residents and businesses. Revising the Plan to address the City’s most pressing issues will empower Barstow staff, residents, and decision makers to actively improve the community’s quality of life today, while ensuring that the City’s new development and redevelopment are safe, resilient, and able to meet the needs of future generations. Toward this goal, we at Atlas Planning Solutions (APS) would like to offer our consulting team’s extensive emergency planning expertise, which includes the following advantages:
• Understanding of regional issues and local context – In addition to extensive LHMP development projects, the APS Team has worked throughout San Bernardino County and southern California, supporting cities like Barstow with Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and General Plan Safety Element updates.
• Extensive prior experience – We believe that our prior experience throughout the region allows our team to hit the ground running, saving time and avoiding potential pitfalls. Our team brings direct knowledge of the hazards, hazard-planning frameworks, and mitigation strategies across many different communities in California. This familiarity allows us to streamline the update process, focus on meaningful improvements, and efficiently meet FEMA and Cal OES requirements.
APS has prepared this proposal in direct response to the City of Barstow’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for LHMP Update Services. This proposal incorporates the RFP and its requirements in their entirety.
Information on our company and staff, as well as specific experience and references, are included. Our Project Understanding and Scope of Services outline exactly how APS can fulfill the City’s needs.
Aaron Pfannenstiel will serve as the project manager and primary contact for this project. With more than 20 years of experience, he will ensure adequate staffing and the highest levels of quality control. As a Principal, Mr. Pfannenstiel is authorized to bind the team to the contents of this submittal—valid for 90 days—and negotiate contracts on behalf of the firm. If you have questions or if you would like to schedule an interview, please contact Aaron at (951) 444-9379 or via email at [email protected].
Respectfully submitted,
Aaron Pfannenstiel, Principal, Atlas Planning Solutions 6578 Barranca Drive, Riverside, CA 92506
Federal TIN 832907286 / California State EIN 4220195
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Table of Contents
Consultant Overview and Qualifications ...........................................................................1 Consultant Overview ...................................................................................................................... 1 Consultant Identifiers ..................................................................................................................... 1 Consultant Partnership – Navigating Preparedness Associates ........................................................ 2 Consultant Affirmations.................................................................................................................. 2 Consultant Staff...............................................................................................................4 Consultant Experience.....................................................................................................6 Prior LHMP Project Experience ........................................................................................................ 6 Prior LHMP Project Experience – NPA .............................................................................................. 8 Prior LHMP Project References........................................................................................................ 9 Project Understanding and Approach..............................................................................13 Planning Framework & Compliance............................................................................................... 13 Guiding Principles......................................................................................................................... 14 Scope of Services...........................................................................................................14 Task 1. Planning Process and Resource/Project Management ........................................................ 15 Task 2. Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Capabilities Assessments.............................. 16 Task 3. Development of Hazard Mitigation Actions and Strategies................................................... 17 Task 4. Public Outreach, Meetings, and Public Comment............................................................... 17 Task 5. Plan Preparation, Drafting, and Evaluation ......................................................................... 20 Task 6. Plan Approval, Adoption, and Project Closeout................................................................... 21 Proposed Project Timeline..............................................................................................23 Appendix A – Resumes ...................................................................................................A1 Appendix B – Acknowledgment of Receipt of Addendum ..................................................B1 Appendix C – Requested Contract Clarifications and Exceptions..................................... C1 Proposal for LHMP Update
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Consultant Overview and Qualifications
Consultant Overview
Atlas Planning Solutions (APS) is a California-based planning and emergency management consulting firm specializing in hazard mitigation, emergency operations, and resilience planning. The firm’s multidisciplinary team has extensive experience working with local, state, and federal agencies on planning efforts of varying size and complexity.
APS provides a comprehensive range of services, including Local Hazard Mitigation Planning; General Plan preparation with an emphasis on Safety Elements, hazards, evacuation, and resilience; Emergency Operations Planning; resilience planning; hazard and vulnerability analysis; and grant technical assistance. This integrated approach allows APS to support jurisdictions across the full emergency management lifecycle, from risk assessment and mitigation through operational readiness and recovery.
Founded in 2018 as a California S-Corporation, APS is a woman-owned Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise headquartered in Riverside, California. The firm is led by Suzanne Murray, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, and Aaron Pfannenstiel, Principal and Chief Financial Officer. APS’s professional staff includes senior and associate planners with expertise in emergency management, hazard mitigation, GIS analysis, and technical assistance, supported by planning interns as appropriate.
Consultant Identifiers
Legal Name Atlas Planning Solutions
Business Entity Type S-Corporation, incorporated in 2018 in the State of California Principals / Officers • Suzanne Murray – Principal / CEO • Aaron Pfannenstiel – Principal / CFO / Project Manager Contract Signatory Aaron Pfannenstiel, CFO
Unique Entity ID KNAKMTPMJ3R3
Address 6578 Barranca Drive, Riverside, CA 92506
Phone (951) 444-9376
Email [email protected]; [email protected] TIN / EIN Federal TIN 832907286 / California State EIN 4220195 To better serve the City, APS is collaborating with our frequent partner and colleague firm, Navigating Preparedness Associates as subcontractor. A description of this firm is provided on the next page.
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Consultant Partnership – Navigating Preparedness Associates Navigating Preparedness Associates (NPA) is a California-certified, Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise based in Lafayette, California. Founded in 2014, NPA provides emergency management services to local, state, and federal agencies. The firm is led by Managing Director Lee Rosenberg, a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) with more than 35 years of experience in emergency management, including service as a U.S. Navy Captain and FEMA Region IX Federal Coordinating Officer.
Legal Name Navigating Preparedness Associates, LLC
Business Entity Type Limited Liability Company
Principals / Officers Lee Rosenberg, Managing Director
Address 3245 Driftwood Drive, Lafayette, CA 94549
Phone (925) 381-0583
Website www.NavigatingPreparedness.com
Consultant Affirmations
Representative Statement
APS’s representative will be responsible for all duties outlined in this proposal, from contract negotiations through project completion. The representative/project manager will not be changed without the City’s prior consent.
• Primary Representative and Project Manager: Aaron Pfannenstiel, CFO Conflict of Interest Statement
APS has no conflicts of interest to disclose to the City of Barstow. Neither APS nor its principals have any financial, business, or other relationship with the City itself, nor employees, nor City Council members. APS has no current clients with a financial interest in the outcome of this contract.
Labor, Equipment, and Materials Statement
APS will provide all necessary personnel, instruments, equipment, and/or materials to perform the services described under the scope outlined in this proposal.
RFP Exceptions Statement
APS does not require any exceptions to the RFP requirements, but has identified several requested contract clarifications in Appendix C for consideration during contract negotiations.
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Business Circumstance Statements
• Bankruptcies: In the past five years, neither APS nor its principals have been in bankruptcy, receivership, or reorganization.
• Litigation, Arbitrations, and Mediations: In the past five years, neither APS nor its principals have been party to any arbitrations, lawsuits, settlements, mediations, nor litigation involving a public entity.
• Terminated Contracts: In the past five years, neither APS nor its principals have:
a) Had a contract terminated by the owner or public agency, b) Failed to complete a project for an owner or public agency, nor c) Been terminated for cause or as a termination for convenience.
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Consultant Staff
The APS team comprises key principals with diverse skill sets and experience. We operate under a working principal model, whereby the principal owners of the firm are actively involved in day-to-day client management, deliverable preparation, and project oversight, based on client needs. The team members proposed for this effort are summarized below, and resumes are provided. Please see Appendix A – Resumes for more detailed information on each staff member and sub-consultant.
Aaron Pfannenstiel will serve as the Management
Contact and Project Manager for the APS Team. He
has over 20 years of community planning experience,
focusing on emergency management, hazard
mitigation, and community resiliency. Mr.
Pfannenstiel will devote time to each task to ensure
the project is executed consistently and smoothly.
Suzanne Murray will support the project team by
developing documents, coordinating stakeholder
outreach, and conducting research and analysis. With
experience supporting emergency preparedness,
hazard mitigation and resilience initiatives, Suzanne
helps ensure project deliverables are well-organized,
accessible, and aligned with project goals and
regulatory requirements.
Robert Jackson will serve as a primary researcher and
author. Mr. Jackson has supported Atlas Planning for
the past five years, updating LHMPs and Safety
Elements, and will bring that knowledge and
experience to this effort for the City. He holds IS 230, 323, 318, 393, 320, 322, 700, and ICS 100
certifications, and he provides additional GIS support
to identify evacuation constraints.
Crystal Stueve will serve as a secondary researcher
and author. With a strong background in writing and
research and over 18 years of experience working for
local and federal agencies, she understands the
importance of clear communication, process, and
outcome documentation, and the development of
plans that are easy to read, understand, and
implement.
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Dennis Larson will serve as a senior planner and brings over 24 years of experience leading public agency management programs, policy research efforts, and technical analyses. Dennis will provide vital support to plan integration and vulnerability analysis portions of the plan. Mr. Larson's specialties include advanced planning project development, climate resiliency policy, Geographic Information Services, and economic impact analysis.
Tessa Wunder will serve as Technical Editor and Document Formatting Specialist, supporting document development through comprehensive editing, quality assurance, and production. She will ensure clarity, consistency, and regulatory compliance across all deliverables, apply standardized formatting and branding, and prepare polished, accessible final documents suitable for operational use and City adoption.
Lee Rosenberg [NPA] is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) with nearly 40 years of experience leading real-world contingency operations and addressing complex emergency and disaster issues. Mr.
Rosenberg is a retired US Navy Captain who also served as a FEMA Region IX (RIX) Federal Coordinating Officer. Mr. Rosenberg will serve as a senior planner and subject-matter expert, bringing his experience and leadership to the project.
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Consultant Experience
Prior LHMP Project Experience
APS is a mission-based consulting and implementation organization that uses best-in-class methods and approaches to help communities across California prepare for a variety of natural and human-caused hazards. Members of our team have completed over 100 hazard-oriented projects—many of which have provided strong referrals and/or repeat business—with a scope and scale similar to what is being requested by Barstow. Through these efforts, we have gained extensive experience assisting communities as they address the changing legislative requirements and frameworks governing emergency planning within California.
The following table provides a breakdown of our most recent LHMP-relevant work over the past five years.
Locations particularly relevant to Barstow are bolded.
Atlas Planning Solutions LHMP Clients, Past 5 Years (2021–2026) Community
LHMP
Assistance
Safety
Element
Assistance
Climate
Adaptation
Assistance
Evacuation
Assistance
City of Aliso Viejo (2025, 2024)
City of Anaheim (2022)
City of Antioch (2023)
City of Bradbury (2025)
City of Brea (2024)
City of Buellton (2026)
City of Canyon Lake (2022)
City of Colton (2025, 2019)
City of Costa Mesa (2021)
City of Davis (2026)
City of El Segundo (2025)
City of Encinitas (2025, 2023)
City of Foster City (2023)
City of Fullerton (2024, 2019)
City of Hollister (2022)
City of Huntington Beach (2022, 2017,
2012)
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Atlas Planning Solutions LHMP Clients, Past 5 Years (2021–2026) Community
LHMP
Assistance
Safety
Element
Assistance
Climate
Adaptation
Assistance
Evacuation
Assistance
City of Irvine (2025, 2020)
City of Laguna Beach (2023, 2021, 2018)
City of Lancaster (2021)
City of Loma Linda (2022)
City of Malibu (2025)
City of Mission Viejo (2024)
City of Needles (2025)
City of Norco (2025)
City of Ontario (2023)
City of Perris (2021)
City of Pico Rivera (2025)
City of Rancho Cucamonga (2021)
City of San Bernardino (2024)
City of San Marino (2024)
City of Santa Rosa (2025, 2016)
City of Saratoga (2024, 2012)
City of Stanton (2022)
City of Upland (2025)
City of Vernon (2022)
City of Willits (2021)
Town of Portola Valley (2025)
County of Butte (2023)
County of Mendocino (2021)
County of San Diego (2021)
County of San Mateo (2026)*
County of Santa Clara (2025)
East Orange County Water District (2025)
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Atlas Planning Solutions LHMP Clients, Past 5 Years (2021–2026) Community
LHMP
Assistance
Safety
Element
Assistance
Climate
Adaptation
Assistance
Evacuation
Assistance
Municipal Water District of Orange
County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard
Mitigation Plan (2025) **
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water
District (2025)
* Project includes cooperative work with all of the following: Cities of Half Moon Bay, Burlingame, Atherton, and San Bruno ** Project included cooperative work with all of the following: El Toro Water District, Laguna Beach County Water District, Mesa Water District, Moulton Niguel Water District, Orange County Sanitation District, Orange County Water District, Santa Margarita Water District, Serrano Water District, South Coast Water District, South Orange County Wastewater Authority, Trabuco Canyon Water District, Yorba Linda Water District, Costa Mesa Sanitary District, Irvine Ranch Water District, Municipal Water District of Orange County
Prior LHMP Project Experience – NPA
NPA has completed the development of, or updates to, dozens of LHMPs. Key relevant past projects completed by NPA are identified below:
Completed LHMP Projects
• San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (2025) • City of Pasadena (2025)
• Midway City Sanitary District (2025)
• San Lorenzo Valley Water District (2025)
• City of Pittsburg (2023, 2017)
• City of La Mirada (2023)
• Oro Loma Sanitary District (2023)
• Coconino County, AZ (Multi-Jurisdictional LHMP, 2021) Current LHMP Projects
• City of Antioch
• East Valley Water District
• City of San Leandro
• Omnitrans
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Prior LHMP Project References
The following projects, completed by APS within the past five calendar years, highlight experience relevant to this proposed LHMP update project.
1. City of Rancho Cucamonga – LHMP Update & Safety Element Update (2021)* Engagement scope and outcome: APS has assisted the City of Rancho Cucamonga since December 2019 with various hazard-related efforts. During this time, the APS Team assisted with an update to the General Plan Safety Element (as part of the Plan RC project), updated the City's 2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, supported the preparation of an Evacuation Assessment that met both SB99 and AB 747 requirements, and is currently updating the City's Emergency Operations Plan. Key concerns throughout these projects focus on the prevalence of high wildfire risk, which could trigger emergency responses and evacuations. Key outcomes of this effort include better integration of the EOP, LHMP, and Evacuation Assessment with the General Plan Safety Element, and the City's ability to align goals, policies, and implementation actions across these different planning frameworks. The LHMP Update was completed in approximately 15 months (suffering minor delays during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic). Review and approval by Cal OES and FEMA involved minor revisions that significantly streamlined the review and approval process. This project was completed on time and within budget. * APS is also currently assisting Rancho Cucamonga with its 2025–2026 LHMP update. • Duration: February 2020 – May 2021
• Funding source: General Fund
• Contract value: $79,000
• Relevant APS staff: Aaron Pfannenstiel, Suzanne Murray, Crystal Stueve, Robert Jackson, Dennis Larson
Project Reference
Client Name Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District/ City of Rancho Cucamonga
Contact Name Riley Davis | Emergency Management Coordinator Contact Telephone 909-774-3009
Contact Email [email protected]
2. City of Ontario – LHMP Update & EOP Update (2023)
Engagement scope and outcome: APS recently updated the 2018 City of Ontario LHMP. This update focused on re-prioritizing plan goals and mitigation actions. As part of the update, the City and APS collaborated on revisions to mitigation actions and priorities to ensure future actions were implementable, a major concern for the City. As part of this effort, our team is also updating the City's Emergency Operations Plan. As of October 17th, 2023, the plan was one of the first in the region to be reviewed under the new guidance and regulations and has completed the FEMA review process with Proposal for LHMP Update
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only minor revisions. This plan has been placed in the Approval Pending Adoption (APA) status. The Ontario plan is one of the first LHMPs to be approved under the updated FEMA guidance and regulations issued in 2023. This plan update also included preparing an AB 747 Evacuation Assessment for the City.
• Duration: August 2022 – October 2023
• Funding source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant
• Contract value: $125,000
• Relevant APS staff: Aaron Pfannenstiel, Suzanne Murray, Crystal Stueve, Robert Jackson, Dennis Larson, Lee Rosenberg
Project Reference
Client Name City of Ontario
Contact Name Joseph Ramos | Emergency Manager
Contact Telephone 909-395-2580
Contact Email [email protected]
3. City of Needles – (Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update) Engagement scope and outcome: APS served as the lead consultant for the City of Needles 2025 LHMP update. The project included the development of a comprehensive FEMA-compliant hazard mitigation plan addressing earthquakes, wildfires, flooding, extreme heat, severe weather, infrastructure failures, hazardous materials incidents, transportation accidents, cyber threats, and other human-caused hazards. The project incorporated updated risk and vulnerability assessments, climate adaptation considerations, capabilities assessments, and revised mitigation actions and implementation strategies.
APS facilitated the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee process, coordinated stakeholder engagement, and worked closely with City departments, utilities, and community partners throughout plan development. The project included integration of the City's General Plan, Housing Element, Safety Element, and other applicable planning documents to improve consistency among planning frameworks and support future implementation efforts. The resulting plan provides a roadmap for reducing long-term disaster risk while maintaining eligibility for FEMA mitigation funding programs. • Duration: March 2024 – October 2025
• Funding source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Funding
• Contract value: $60,180
• Relevant APS staff: Aaron Pfannenstiel, Suzanne Murray, Crystal Stueve, Robert Jackson, Dennis Larson
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Project Reference
Client Name City of Needles
Contact Name Kathy Raasch | Director of Development Services Contact Telephone 760-326-2113 Ext. 126
Contact Email [email protected]
4. City of Loma Linda – (Safety Element and Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update) Engagement scope and outcome: APS supported the City of Loma Linda in preparing a comprehensive LHMP update that meets FEMA and Cal OES requirements while strengthening community resilience. The project included extensive hazard identification, risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, capabilities assessment, and mitigation strategy development.
The plan evaluated a broad range of natural and human-caused hazards, including earthquakes, wildfires, flooding, droughts, climate change, slope failures, hazardous materials incidents, and other community threats. APS facilitated stakeholder coordination, public outreach, hazard prioritization, development of mitigation actions, and integration with existing City planning mechanisms. The project utilized GIS-based analysis, critical facility assessments, and vulnerability mapping to support data-driven mitigation decision-making.
The completed plan provides the City with a long-term framework for reducing risk to residents, businesses, critical facilities, and infrastructure while maintaining eligibility for state and federal hazard mitigation funding opportunities.
• Duration: July 2021 – August 2022
• Funding source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant
• Contract value: $107,002
• Relevant APS staff: Aaron Pfannenstiel, Suzanne Murray, Crystal Stueve, Robert Jackson, Dennis Larson
Project Reference
Client Name City of Loma Linda
Contact Name Tom Ingalls | Fire Marshal
Contact Telephone 909-799-2853
Contact Email [email protected]
5. City of Colton – (Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update) Engagement scope and outcome: APS served as the lead consultant for the City of Colton 2025 LHMP update. The project included preparation of a FEMA- and Cal OES-compliant hazard mitigation plan addressing earthquake, flooding, dam failure, drought, extreme heat, severe weather, wildfire, Proposal for LHMP Update
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infrastructure disruption, hazardous materials incidents, transportation accidents, and other humancaused hazards. APS completed hazard identification, risk assessment, threat and vulnerability analysis, capabilities assessment, and development of a comprehensive mitigation strategy tailored to the City's needs.
APS facilitated the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team process, coordinated stakeholder engagement with regional agencies, healthcare providers, school districts, utility providers, transportation partners, and neighboring jurisdictions, and implemented a robust public outreach program that included community events, online surveys, multilingual materials, social media engagement, and public review opportunities. The project evaluated critical infrastructure, vulnerable populations, climate-related impacts, and future development trends to support informed mitigation planning and long-term community resilience.
• Duration: April 2024 – October 2025
• Funding source: General Fund
• Contract value: $49,900
• Relevant APS staff: Aaron Pfannenstiel, Suzanne Murray, Project Reference
Client Name City of Colton
Contact Name Justin Weems | Deputy Fire Chief
Contact Telephone 909-370-5144
Contact Email [email protected]
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Project Understanding and Approach
The City of Barstow faces a unique set of hazard mitigation challenges shaped by its highly urbanized environment, aging infrastructure, and regional transportation network. Based on the City’s prior LHMP and current RFP, key considerations for this update include:
• Natural Hazards: Due to its desert-rural location and geography, Barstow is subject to potential earthquakes, flooding, wildfires, slope instability, and soil erosion; preparing for these possibilities remains a primary concern.
• Transportation Corridors: Major roadways and railways supporting Barstow’s retail and travel services, as well as traffic to two nearby military base installations may increase risk related to transportation incidents and evacuation constraints.
• Climate Change Impacts: Increasing frequency and intensity of storm events and extreme heat/weather will require updated vulnerability and mitigation strategies.
APS will build upon the City’s recently updated General Plan and existing LHMP foundation to refine risk assessments, prioritize implementable mitigation actions, and ensure continued eligibility for FEMA funding. Understanding that the City needs an LHMP that is FEMA-compliant and supports staff decision making on risk reduction projects, the APS team has developed the following Scope of Services. Our approach proposes a structured, collaborative methodology that is directly aligned with the tasks outlined in the RFP.
APS understands that Barstow faces a unique combination of natural and human-caused hazards shaped by its desert environment, regional transportation role, and critical infrastructure systems. Key planning considerations include extreme heat, drought, wildfire risk, flash flooding associated with desert storm events, and disruptions affecting major transportation corridors such as Interstate 15 and regional rail infrastructure. The City also relies on critical lifeline systems that support residents, businesses, and regional commerce. Successful mitigation planning will require coordination among City departments, utility providers, transportation agencies, emergency response partners, and regional stakeholders to ensure mitigation strategies are practical, implementable, and aligned with local priorities.
Planning Framework & Compliance
APS will develop the LHMP using established best practices and regulatory guidance to ensure full compliance with State and Federal standards. This includes the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000), 44 CFR 201 (Planning) and Part 206 (Projects), 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements), the FEMA Local Mitigation Planning Handbook, and the California Government Code Section 65302. This framework ensures the plan is operationally sound, interoperable with partner agencies, and eligible for State and Federal grant funding opportunities.
APS has successfully prepared and updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plans in accordance with FEMA's 2023 Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide and related review requirements. This experience allows the APS Team to efficiently navigate current Federal and State review processes, develop compliant plan Proposal for LHMP Update
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content, and streamline coordination with Cal OES and FEMA Region IX throughout plan development and approval.
Guiding Principles
The planning process and resulting final document will be guided by the following principles:
• Extensive research and review to ensure sufficient data is considered in order to create a wellinformed and relevant Plan for the City that meets current and future community needs • Implementation of an all-hazard, function-based organization of content • Usage of plain language and an easy-to-read format to be widely understood by the public • Integration of access and functional needs considerations throughout the document • Consistency with existing City planning documentation • Full alignment and compliance with all applicable State and Federal requirements • Timely and clear collaboration/communication with all relevant partners, stakeholders, and the community, ensuring opportunities for all to participate in the planning process • Use of scheduling processes that meet the schedule and deadlines desired by the City Scope of Services
The following project delivery approach is based on the APS Team's understanding of the desired tasks and level of effort necessary to complete a FEMA–compliant LHMP. APS will guide the update of the LHMP through a phased approach that facilitates ongoing coordination with stakeholder partners to ensure meaningful input informs each phase. Engagement with and support of City staff and stakeholders is integrated throughout the project, from the kickoff meeting to regular check-in meetings to track progress, resolve issues, and coordinate next steps (with meeting frequency adjusted as the project advances).
This scope was developed to be consistent with the City’s RFP, including tasks that ensure an efficient and effective planning process and support client satisfaction. If any proposed tasks need refinement or further discussion, the APS Team will be happy to modify the work plan to suit your needs.
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Task 1. Planning Process and Resource/Project Management Key Activities
• Kickoff meeting
• Hazard Mitigation Plan Committee meetings
• Project coordination (e.g., communication and routine project coordination meetings) Related Deliverables
• Kick Off Meeting (includes meeting agenda and additional materials) • HMPC Meetings (includes meeting agendas and additional materials) 1a. Kickoff Meeting
Upon receiving notice to proceed, APS will conduct a project kickoff meeting and work session with City staff and key stakeholders to confirm project goals, roles, data needs, existing documentation, expectations, and overall project schedule and deliverables for the project. The kickoff meeting will also orient participants to the purpose and structure of the LHMP, anticipated stakeholder involvement, and coordination with outside agencies. A vital element of this task will be establishing communication protocols and coordination with City staff, key stakeholders, and reviewing agencies (Cal OES, FEMA, etc.). As part of this task, regularly scheduled calls/virtual project coordination meetings will occur with City staff and the APS Team. 1b. Hazard Mitigation Plan Committee Meetings
Separate from project coordination calls and meetings, the APS Team will conduct two HMPC meetings to facilitate the LHMP update process. Facilitation of these meetings will focus on the planning process outlined in DMA 2000 and FEMA’s Local Mitigation Plan Review Guide and Local Mitigation Planning Handbook. The APS Team will conduct two 2-hour meetings with the HMPC over the course of three months as part of the plan update. These meetings will address the following topics:
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• HMPC Meeting #1: Review the work program, previous plan elements (hazards of concern, critical facilities, mitigation actions), and community engagement strategy. • HMPC Meeting #2: Review updated risk/ vulnerability assessment; review, revise, and prioritize mitigation actions and discuss monitoring and implementation workbook.
For budgeting purposes, up to two staff members will attend, facilitate, and document each meeting. Meetings will be conducted in person or virtually depending on client preference. Four hours of staff time per staff member have been assumed for each meeting for preparation, attendance, and travel (if necessary). If additional meetings or time are necessary, they can be provided under a separate scope and fee upon request.
1c. Project Coordination
The APS Team will conduct virtual project coordination meetings with City staff during the project.
These bi-weekly check-in calls are intended to provide opportunities to review upcoming meetings/deliverables, discuss project issues, and address issues or feedback received during the process. Due to the accelerated project schedule, meetings may occur more frequently as necessary or at the City's request.
Task 2. Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Capabilities Assessments
Key Activities
• Hazard profiling, hazards mapping, risk assessment
• Capabilities assessment
Related Deliverables
• Updated Hazard Profiles, Hazard Mapping, Risk Assessment • Capabilities Assessment
2a. Hazard Profiling, Hazards Mapping, and Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Based on the discussion at HMPC Meeting #1, the APS Team will update the Hazard Profiles, Hazard Mapping, Risk Assessment, and Capabilities Assessment within the LHMP to incorporate new information since the prior adoption. As part of this task, utilizing digital maps and GIS data, the APS Team will discuss new or additional critical facilities to be included in the risk assessment and obtain relevant information that meets the City’s needs and goals. As part of this task, the HMPC will review and verify this information during HMPC Meetings #1 and #2. A key element of this update is the integration of the Climate Adaptation Vulnerability Assessment.
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2b. Capabilities Assessment
The APS Team will conduct a comprehensive capabilities assessment to evaluate the City's existing ability to implement hazard mitigation activities and reduce risk from identified hazards.
This assessment will review current plans, policies, programs, regulations, administrative procedures, technical resources, fiscal capabilities, and existing mitigation initiatives that support hazard risk reduction. APS will work with City staff and stakeholders to identify strengths, gaps, opportunities, and constraints affecting the implementation of future mitigation actions.
The capabilities assessment will help ensure that recommended mitigation strategies are practical, achievable, and aligned with the City's existing resources, priorities, and planning framework.
Task 3. Development of Hazard Mitigation Actions and Strategies Key Activities
• Review of existing City planning documents
• Development of mitigation actions and strategies
Related Deliverables
• Updated mitigation strategies and actions
3a. Review of Existing City Planning Documents
The APS team will review the City’s previous LHMP along with the City’s related planning documents, policies, plans, programs, and standards, to determine alignment with current best practices. These existing documents include, but are not limited to: Barstow General Plan, Barstow Emergency Operation Plan, California Strategic Highway Safety Plan, Caltrans Local Roadway Safety Manual, Caltrans Standard Plans, and FEMA Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Guidelines.
3b. Development of Mitigation Actions and Strategies
The APS Team will review the City’s existing mitigation strategies and actions and collaborate with the HMPC on the progress during the previous implementation period. As part of this task the APS Team will develop new or revised mitigation actions and strategies taking into consideration, changes to City operations and functions, changing community needs, and new information developed. Upon completion of the updated mitigation strategies and actions, the APS Team will conduct HMPC Meeting #2 to review and finalize the actions within the plan.
Task 4. Public Outreach, Meetings, and Public Comment
Key Activities
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• Community engagement strategy
• Outreach collateral
• Stakeholder and public meetings (workshops, interviews, community survey) Related Deliverables
• Draft and final community engagement strategy
• Draft and final fact sheet/flyer (PDF)
• Draft content for website and social media posts
• Draft and final survey (Google Forms or Survey Monkey, up to 20 questions) • One stakeholder meeting (virtual)
• Two public meetings (virtual)
• Summary memo of stakeholder and public workshops
• Preparation for and attendance at up to two public hearings (PC and/or CC) 4a. Community Engagement Strategy
A key component of the planning process is ensuring the community's effective involvement during plan preparation. For some communities, this can be as simple as a quick online survey, while other communities require more extensive outreach efforts. The APS Team will prepare a community engagement strategy based on a detailed discussion with City staff (as part of the kickoff meeting in Task 1 about prior community engagement activities, their successes, and challenges, and other concerns from City leaders. The strategy will outline both the minimum outreach required by FEMA and what additional efforts should be undertaken to successfully complete the project.
Our scope and budget assume the production of outreach collateral in English and, if desired, Spanish. This includes the use of APS bilingual capable staff for printed materials. The order of priority in providing translated materials is: 1) notification and 2) online surveys and other collateral materials. If the City prefers, our scope and budget can be adjusted to use City resources.
The following task structure is based on our preliminary assessment of the types and amount of outreach activities needed. Should discussions with City staff indicate otherwise, we will refine the scope and budget as needed to align with the desired approach. 4b. Outreach Collateral
APS will develop outreach collateral necessary to support public engagement activities, including meeting announcements, survey promotions, public review notices, website content, and informational materials suitable for print and digital distribution.:
• Fact Sheet/Flyer. The APS Team will create a simple, easy-to-understand one-to-twopage fact sheet/flyer that clearly explains the overall effort, the need to address these issues, the role of the public, the timing of events and key milestones, and the intended Proposal for LHMP Update
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outcomes. This fact sheet/flyer should be made available on the City’s website, distributed electronically, and included in mailings.
• City website. The APS Team will develop web content that explains the project: what each component is, why the City is conducting the project, what information will be included in each component, and how stakeholders and the public can contact the City and stay engaged in the planning process. This content will be provided to City staff for upload to the City’s website. Our scope assumes City staff will manage the website throughout the project; however, if desired, our team can manage a projectspecific website as part of the process. • Social Media. The APS Team will prepare content and graphics for use on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Nextdoor. We will focus on those sites actively used and preferred by the City, stakeholders, and other local groups and organizations with an online presence in the community. • Community Online Survey. An online survey is an easy and powerful way of gathering qualitative and quantitative data to inform plan preparation. The APS Team will develop an online survey to distribute to the community via email and social media. 4c. Stakeholder and Public Meetings
The following combination of meetings and workshops is recommended based on our experience with LHMP Updates:
• Stakeholder Meetings/Interviews. Engaging stakeholders early in the process supports the development of strategies that build on community successes and lessons learned, allowing for the leveraging of existing and potential programs consistent with community values, state requirements, and a collaborative approach to implementation. The most effective approach to stakeholder engagement varies based on the desires, capacity, and availability of relevant community leaders, agencies, and organizations. The APS Team has budgeted staff time for one virtual stakeholder meeting.
• Community Workshops. Two virtual community workshops1 are proposed to facilitate conversations with and among larger community gatherings. While creating standalone workshops is possible, we highly recommend using existing City meetings, such as those held for the Commissions, Boards, and Committees active within the City.
Not only can these groups help with outreach, but attendees at these meetings will benefit from this information in a less time-intensive way than at a stand-alone meeting.
1 Due to the accelerated project schedule, APS assumes these meetings will be conducted virtually to support timely project completion. If desired, meetings may be held in person with facilitation support provided on-site by the City's Project Manager or designated representative.
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Task 5. Plan Preparation, Drafting, and Evaluation
Key Activities
• Facilitation of future LHMP evaluation and update activities • Finalization of administrative draft
• Finalization of public review draft
• Plan submittal to Cal OES/FEMA
Related Deliverables
• Administrative Draft LHMP (PDF Format)
• Public Review Draft LHMP (PDF Format)
• Cal OES/FEMA Review Draft LHMP (PDF Format)
5a. Plan Maintenance and Future Update Procedures
This task focuses on the future, routine monitoring, and implementation of the LHMP. To better address these processes, the APS Team has developed an Implementation Workbook, which will be incorporated into the Plan as an Appendix to support future monitoring, evaluation, and updates. This workbook provides City staff with an easy-to-follow guide to future actions and opportunities to incorporate mitigation strategies into everyday tasks. 5b. Finalization of Administrative Draft
Upon completion of the two HMPC meetings, the Administrative Draft LHMP will be compiled for City staff review. This draft will be at least 65% complete and will be shared with City staff for review and comment. At this time, City staff can determine whether the plan is shared with all HMPC members, if desired. APS will provide a PDF cloud link to be shared, and comments and corrections will be incorporated into the Word version draft as they are received in the PDF. Two weeks are provided for this review period.2
5c. Finalization of Public Review Draft
Upon receipt of comments from City staff, the APS Team will prepare the Public Review Draft LHMP, which will be at least 90% complete and will include the necessary information and results from public engagement and outreach efforts. APS assumes a 14-day public review period for the 2 Given the compressed timeline associated with this project, there is a hard timeline for this review period; please see the Proposed Project Timeline.
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Plan prior to final revisions and submittal to Cal OES. Two weeks are provided for this review period.3
5d. Cal OES and FEMA Review Coordination
APS will coordinate directly with Cal OES and FEMA Region IX throughout the review process to facilitate the timely review of the Draft LHMP. As part of this task, APS will prepare the FEMA Plan Review Tool (PRT), assemble the required review package, and coordinate submittal of the Draft LHMP to Cal OES. APS will serve as the primary point of contact during State and Federal review, responding to reviewer inquiries, tracking review status, and facilitating communication between reviewing agencies and City staff. Upon receipt of FEMA's Approved Pending Adoption (APA) determination, APS will assist the City in preparing the plan for final adoption. 5e. Comment Resolution and Plan Revision
Upon receiving comments from City staff, Cal OES, FEMA Region IX, stakeholders, or members of the public, the APS Team will prepare a comment-response matrix documenting reviewer comments, proposed resolutions, and corresponding plan revisions. APS will revise the Draft LHMP as necessary to address comments and ensure consistency with FEMA's Local Mitigation Plan Review Guide and applicable State requirements. Revised materials will be resubmitted as needed to support plan approval and adoption.
Task 6. Plan Approval, Adoption, and Project Closeout
Key Activities
• City adoption of final LHMP
• Final adoption meeting(s)
• Project Closeout support
Related Deliverables
• Final LHMP document (3 hard copies in color plus 2 flash drives with the PDF and MS Word Formats)
• Final adoption meeting(s) with the City Council
6a. City Adoption of Final LHMP
Upon receipt of an “Approvable Pending Adoption” letter from FEMA, the City will be eligible to adopt the LHMP and begin the next five-year implementation process. Upon City Council 3 Given the compressed timeline associated with this project, there is a hard timeline for this review period; please see the Proposed Project Timeline.
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approval, a final MS Word and PDF versions of the document will be provided to City staff for their records.
6b. Final Deliverables
The APS Team will prepare for and attend the adoption meeting and provide support during the City's adoption process. Following adoption by the City Council, APS will finalize and transmit all required project deliverables, including the adopted LHMP and supporting documentation. 6c. Project Closeout
To ensure City staff can effectively close out the project with Cal OES and FEMA, the APS Team has allocated staff time to prepare relevant documentation as needed to support the closeout process. Support for this task assumes staff time to gather and summarize relevant data and information necessary for this process.
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Proposed Project Timeline4
4 Schedule Assumption: Review durations shown for City, Cal OES, and FEMA review periods are planning assumptions based on typical agency review timelines. Actual review durations are outside the control of APS and may vary depending on reviewer workload, comment complexity, and agency processing requirements.
Task 1. Planning Process and Project Management Proposed No Later Than 1a. Kick-Off Meeting 26-Jun 29-Jun
1b. HMPC Meetings (2) June 29 | July 7 July 2 | July 10 1c. Project Coordination July 6, 20 | Aug 10, 24 | Sep 14 N/A Task 2. Hazard identification with Risk and Capabilities Assessments Proposed No Later Than 2a. Hazard Profiling, Hazards Mapping, and Risk and Capabilities Assessments 18-Aug 2b. Capabilities Assessment 18-Aug
Task 3. Development of Hazard Mitigation Actions and Strategies Proposed No Later Than 3a. Review of Existing City Planning Documents 26-Jun 29-Jun 3b. Development of Mitigation Actions and Strategies 7-Jul 10-Jul Task 4. Public Outreach, Meetings, and Public Comment Proposed No Later Than 4a. Community Engagement Strategies 26-Jun 29-Jun
4b. Outreach Collateral 29-Jun 2-Jul
4c. Stakeholder and Public Meetings anytime up to 17-Jul 17-Jul Task 5. Plan Preparation, Drafting, and Evaluation Proposed No Later Than 5a. Facilitation of Future LHMP Evaluation and Update Activities 18-Aug N/A 5b. Finalization of Administrative Draft 18-Aug 18-Aug
5c. Finalization of Public Review Draft 19-Aug 19-Aug
5d. Cal OES and FEMA Review Coordination* Cal OES - Aug 20 | FEMA Oct 7 24-Nov 5e. Comment Resolution and Plan Revision Cal OES - Aug 20 | FEMA Oct 7 Cal OES - Aug 20 | FEMA Oct 7 Task 6. Plan Approval, Adoption, and Project Closeout Proposed No Later Than 6a. City Adoption of Final LHMP 1st Tuesday in December N/A 6b. Final Deliverables CC Meeting N/A
6c. Project Closeout CC Meeting N/A
Proposed dates are provided for the condensed timeline in order to keep on track * 45 day timeline provided for each Cal OES and FEMA Review (20-Aug - 04-Oct for Cal OES, and 07-Oct - 21-Nov for FEMA) | 5, 6 Oct provided for Cal OES coordination if needed
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Appendix A – Resumes
Aaron Pfannenstiel, AICP [email protected]
951-444-9379
Project Manager, Emergency Operations,
Hazard Mitigation & Safety Element Subject Matter Expert Professional Summary
Mr. Pfannenstiel is the Principal and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Atlas Planning Solutions (APS) and brings more than 23 years of experience in emergency management, hazard mitigation, and comprehensive community planning.
His experience includes leading and supporting Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs), Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMPs), and General Plan Safety Element updates for cities, counties, and special districts nationwide, with extensive experience in California jurisdictions.
Prior to founding APS, Mr. Pfannenstiel served in project management and technical leadership roles on numerous Safety Element updates prepared in conformance with California Government Code Section 65302(g), including projects that required CEQA documentation and Environmental Impact Reports. Across his career, he has supported more than 100 local and multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation and safety planning efforts, frequently serving as Project Manager or primary technical author.
Mr. Pfannenstiel’s work emphasizes integrating operational emergency response planning with long-range hazard mitigation, land use policy, and resilience objectives. He develops EOPs that are operationally focused and aligned with NIMS and ICS principles, while ensuring consistency with adopted LHMPs and General Plan Safety Elements.
His multidisciplinary background in geology, environmental studies, and urban planning enables him to translate complex hazard data into actionable policies, procedures, and implementation strategies that support preparedness, response, recovery, and long-term community resilience.
Areas of Expertise
• Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) and supporting annexes • Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMPs) and multi-jurisdictional plans • General Plan Safety Element updates (California Government Code §65302(g)) • Integration of EOPs with LHMPs and General Plan Safety Elements • Hazard risk assessment and vulnerability analysis
• Wildfire, flood, seismic, and climate-related hazards • CEQA compliance for Safety Element updates and mitigation planning • Stakeholder coordination, public outreach, and plan adoption support Relevant & Current Experience
Principal and CFO, Atlas Planning Solutions
Riverside, CA | December 2018 - Present
• Manages new and updates for LHMPs, EOPs, and Safety Element for jurisdictions throughout California. • Serves as Project Director and Project Manager for most of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plans and General Plan Safety Element updates, for APS, supporting California cities and counties.
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• As a Safety Element and Hazard Mitigation Subject Matter Expert, regularly acts as the primary Technical Liaison between City staff and technical implementation teams across all APS programs. • Provides project oversight and quality assurance over all APS programs to ensure consistent, high-quality, and timely products, services, and deliverables.
Senior Associate, PlaceWorks
Ontario, CA | May 2017 – Dec 2018
• Focused on natural hazards, hazard mitigation, resiliency, and community planning.
Senior Project Manager, Michael Baker International
Ontario, CA | Jun 2004 – May 2017
• Specialized in General Plan Safety Elements, Local Hazard Mitigation Plans, Climate Adaptation, and Emergency Management focused on the Western United States and throughout the nation.
Education
• MURP, 2005, Regional Planning/Urban Planning, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona • BA, 2001, Environmental Studies, University of California at Santa Barbara • BS, 2001, Geological Sciences, University of California at Santa Barbara Professional Affiliations & Certifications
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), California, 021026 • American Planning Association (APA), California, 155482 • American Institute of Certified Planners, 2006, 021026 • LEED Accredited Professional, 2006
• California Emergency Services Association
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Suzanne Murray [email protected]
951-444-9379
Emergency Management Planner and Program Lead,
Hazard Mitigation & Preparedness Specialist
Professional Summary
Emergency management professional with 20+ years of experience leading preparedness, mitigation, and resilience initiatives for local governments, federal agencies, and military organizations. Proven leader in developing Hazard Mitigation Plans (HMP/LHMP), Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs), risk assessments, and operational readiness programs that strengthen community resilience and ensure regulatory compliance.
Core Competencies
• Emergency Operations Planning (EOPs)
• Hazard Mitigation & Climate Adaptation Planning
• THIRA Risk Assessments
• Cal OES / FEMA CPG 101 Compliance
• Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation
• Incident Command System (ICS/NIMS)
• Program & Contract Management
• Training & Capacity Building
• Technical Writing & Editing
• Military Intelligence Operations
Relevant & Current Experience
Principal and CEO, Atlas Planning Solutions
Riverside, CA | Dec 2018 – Present
Founding principal and leader of a woman-owned emergency management consulting firm supporting California cities, counties, and special districts with mitigation, preparedness, and resilience planning. • Support direction of all planning and preparedness projects, including LHMPs, EOPs, General Plan Safety Elements, climate adaptation strategies, and continuity planning efforts • Serve as technical lead and final reviewer to ensure compliance with FEMA, Cal OES, and state legislative requirements (SB 379, SB 99, AB 2140, etc.)
• Manage multi-jurisdictional planning processes, facilitating workshops, risk analyses, and stakeholder engagement with emergency managers, fire, law enforcement, and public works • Develop hazard analyses, capability assessments, and implementation roadmaps that guide real-world operational improvements
• Lead contracts, budgeting, staffing, and quality assurance for all deliverables • Build partnerships with city leadership and agency executives to translate policy into actionable preparedness strategies
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Human Intelligence Collector, United States Army Reserve LA County, CA | May 2004 – Apr 2026
Operational intelligence professional supporting domestic and overseas missions with collection, analysis, and decision support for senior leadership. Deployment experiences include emergency management equivalent skills such as volunteer/donation management during the Afghanistan withdrawal and coordinated EOC activities. Also proficient in COOP planning and exercise with functional AAR sessions. • Conducted intelligence collection and analysis across multiple deployments in high-risk operational environments
• Produced mission-critical reports and briefings used by brigade and joint task force commanders • Synthesized complex information into concise, actionable recommendations under time pressure • Design and deliver training, exercises, and tabletop scenarios to strengthen organizational readiness • Trained and mentored junior personnel in reporting, questioning techniques, and operational tradecraft • Coordinated with interagency and coalition partners to integrate intelligence and operational planning • Maintained Top Secret/SCI clearance throughout service Education
• M.A., Emergency Management/Homeland Security, AMU, WV • M.A., 2008, English, National University, La Jolla, CA • B.A., 2004, English, University of California Riverside, CA • A.A., 2007, Intelligence Operations, Cochise College, Sierra Vista, AZ Other Training (FEMA ISP)
• IS-00700.b: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System • IS-02600: National Protection Framework, An Introduction • IS-00317.a: Introduction to Community Emergency Response Team (CERTs) | CERT Member for Riverside City
• IS-328: Plan Review for Local Mitigation Plans
• IS-2200: Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions
• IS-235.c: Emergency Planning
• IS-120.c: An Introduction to Exercises
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Robert Jackson [email protected]
951-444-9379
Associate Planner,
Hazard Mitigation & Safety Elements
Professional Summary
Robert Jackson has nine years of relevant work experience, including five years with Atlas Planning as an assistant planner and has been an integral part in a multitude of projects since joining the Atlas Planning team in 2020. He has experience in Local Hazard Mitigation Plan document preparation and updates. General Plan Safety Element update research, document review, and composition. While newer to the planning world, he has proven to be a valuable asset to the Atlas Planning Team.
Core Competencies
• Project Management
• Research
• GIS/Mapping
• Writing & Editing
• Analytical Skills
• Teamwork
• Client Relations
Relevant & Current Experience
Associate Planner, Atlas Planning Solutions
Riverside, CA | Jul 2020 – Present
Has supported over 40 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan updates and General Plan Safety Element updates for various California jurisdictions since joining the Atlas team in 2020 (see Table 1 for a full list of relevant APS qualifications).
Life Insurance Agent, New York Life Insurance Company
Riverside, CA | Jun 2015 – Apr 2020
Led document preparation, personal wealth mitigation and research, and the creation of custom life insurance and financial solutions for clients, which best suited their individual needs. Much like the different cities and jurisdictions within the planning world require unique solutions to their hazard mitigation strategies and plans.
Other Training (FEMA ISP)
• IS-230.e: Fundamentals of Emergency Management
• IS-318.b: Local Mitigation Planning Training
• IS-320: Wildfire Mitigation Basics
• IS-322: Flood Mitigation Basics
• IS-323: Earthquake Mitigation Basics
• IS-393.b: Introduction to Hazard Mitigation
• IS-700.b: An introduction to the National Incident Management System • ISC-100: An Introduction to the Incident Command System Proposal for LHMP Update
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Crystal Stueve [email protected]
951-444-9379
Deputy Emergency Operations Plan Program Manager,
Senior Hazard Mitigation Planner
Professional Summary
Ms. Stueve provides more than 20 years of professional experience supporting emergency management, preparedness, and operational planning efforts for Federal, State, and local government agencies. She serves as Deputy Project Manager for Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) projects and has authored, reviewed, and edited dozens of EOPs, annexes, training materials, and related planning documents. Her experience includes supporting operational readiness, risk-informed planning, and inter-departmental coordination across all phases of emergency management.
Ms. Stueve brings a strong working knowledge of emergency preparedness planning, risk assessment, and the operational implications of emergency planning on government functions. Her military background provides a solid understanding of command structures, information flow, and the importance of clear, concise, and actionable guidance during emergency activations. She is highly skilled in developing plans and supporting materials that are accessible, easy to implement, and aligned with real-world operational needs.
In addition to her planning expertise, Ms. Stueve has developed and published training and capacity-building resources designed to enhance organizational readiness for human-caused, natural, and climate-related hazards.
Her work emphasizes human-centered design principles to improve plan usability, training effectiveness, and staff adoption during exercises and real-world incidents.
Relevant & Current Experience
Senior Planner, Atlas Planning Solutions
Riverside, CA | Nov 2020 – Present
• Since 2024, has served as the Deputy Program Manager for APS EOP Projects • Supported over 50 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan updates and General Plan Safety Element updates for various Southern California jurisdictions (see Table 1 for a full list of relevant APS qualifications). • Served as the Senior Planner for more than 20 projects, including Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and General Plan Safety Element updates, for 15 jurisdictions across Southern California.
Emergency Operations Center Specialist, San Bernardino Police Department San Bernardino, CA | Sep 2018 – Mar 2020
• Supported the Emergency Operations Center during emergencies or disasters in functions relating to emergency management.
• Prepared emergency management media briefings and provided appropriate public notifications during EOC activation events.
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Emergency Operations Center Analyst, US Army Civil Affairs and Psyop Operations Command
Fort Bragg, NC | Jun 2008 – Jun 2012
• Monitored unfolding emergencies and wrote daily briefing reports to ensure situational awareness • Worked with civil authorities, DoD agencies, and local military and civilian response authorities to evaluate their resources and coordinate mutual support agreements where applicable.
Education
• MA, 2017, Mass Communications & Journalism, Kent State University • BS, 2012, Intelligence Management, Henley-Putnam University Other Training (FEMA ISP)
• IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS • IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response • IS-700 / IS 800: An Introduction the National Incident Management System (NIMS) / (National Response Framework) [Certified]
Professional Affiliations & Certifications
US Army Reserve Retiree
Ms. Stueve is a retired U.S. Army Reserve noncommissioned officer with experience supporting emergency operations, intelligence analysis, and defense support to civil authorities. Her background includes EOC operations, situational reporting, interagency coordination, and WMD preparedness and response, providing a strong operational foundation for Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) development. • DOD TS Clearance with SCI Eligibility
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Dennis Larson [email protected]
951-444-9379
GIS Mapping Technical Expert,
Climate Change Subject Matter Expert
Professional Summary
Mr. Larson has 25 years of experience in public agency program management, policy research, and technical analysis. His specialties include long-range planning, hazard mitigation, climate resiliency, Geographic Information Services, and economic impact analyses. Dennis helps public agencies and private firms develop and evaluate policies, programs, and strategies with measurable performance impacts. Dennis has supported more than 40 Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMPs) throughout California.
Relevant & Current Experience
Senior Planner, Atlas Planning Solutions
Riverside, CA | Dec 2018 – Present
• Supports data analytics and mapping for all APS Local Hazard Mitigation Plan General Plan Safety Element updates throughout California (see Table 1 for a full list of relevant APS qualifications). • Serves as the Senior Planner for complex projects, involving hazard mitigation, climate adaptation, and coastal resources throughout California.
• As a GIS expert, Dennis supports client needs regarding data analysis and mapping ensuring an increased understanding in the risks and vulnerabilities associated with hazards.
Principal & Founder, Nexus Planning & Research
San Diego, CA | Jun 2012 – Present
• Leads efforts to help public and private entities develop economically viable and environmentally sustainable policies, programs, and strategies with measurable performance impacts. • Focused on land use planning; economic and fiscal impact assessment; climate change analysis; and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance. • Provides key services to Atlas Planning Solutions in support of hazard mitigation and climate adaptation.
Senior Economist, AECOM
San Diego, CA | Jun 2008 – Jun 2012
• Performed economic impact analysis and financial feasibility for private and public developments using IMPLAN economic modeling software.
• Developed Community Impact Assessments for transportation planning agencies. • Managed preparation of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents including Environmental Impact Reports (EIR) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents including Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Assessments (EA). • Assessed conditions and environmental impacts in context of CEQA or NEPA. As a subject matter expert, wrote Socioeconomics, Environmental Justice, Public Services, and Land Use chapters.
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Education
• MA, Economics, California State University, San Diego • BA, Geography, California State University, San Diego Other Training (FEMA ISP)
• IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS • IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response • IS-700 / IS 800: An Introduction the National Incident Management System (NIMS) / (National Response Framework) [Certified]
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Tessa Wunder [email protected]
951-444-9379
Senior Technical Editor
Emergency Operations, Hazard Mitigation, and Safety Elements Professional Summary
Ms. Wunder is a Technical Editor and Knowledge Management Specialist with more than 10 years of experience formatting, editing, and managing complex, multi-author technical documents for government, healthcare, and highly regulated industries. At Atlas Planning Solutions, she supports the production of Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs), Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMPs), General Plan Safety Elements, and supporting annexes by ensuring documents are clear, consistent, accessible, and publication-ready.
Ms. Wunder specializes in document structure, style standardization, and formatting for large, compliance-driven plans. Her expertise includes creating and enforcing style guides, managing version control, applying Section 508 and WCAG accessibility standards, and preparing final deliverables suitable for City Council adoption, FEMA, and Cal OES review and public distribution. She is highly skilled in Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, MadCap Flare, and CSSbased formatting, allowing Atlas plans to remain both technically accurate and easy to navigate during real-world emergency use.
Her background in knowledge management and content system migration supports Atlas’s internal quality control processes, ensuring consistency across EOPs, annexes, LHMPs, and Safety Elements produced by multiple authors and subject matter experts.
Core Competencies
• Knowledge management and style guide development
• QA/QC processes for compliance-driven documents
• Accessibility remediation for legacy planning documents • Multi-format output (Word, accessible PDF, web-ready content) • Collaboration with SMEs, planners, and emergency management staff • CSS-based formatting and advanced document styling
• Document migration and standardization across platforms • Technical graphics and figure formatting
Relevant & Current Experience
Senior Technical Editor, Atlas Planning Solutions (APS) Riverside, CA | Dec 2025 – Present (former APS contractor since 2023) • Formats and standardizes EOPs, annexes, and checklists to ensure usability during emergency activations • Applies Section 508 and WCAG accessibility standards to planning documents and PDFs • Maintains document templates, styles, and formatting standards across all Atlas deliverables • Performs technical editing and QA/QC for multi-author planning documents • Prepares final, publication-ready documents for City Council adoption, State review, and public release Proposal for LHMP Update
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Technical Editor/Writer, various regulated industries
Iowa City, IA | Jul 2015 – Dec 2025
• Authored, edited, and formatted complex technical documentation, including policies and procedures, SOPs, playbooks, user guides, and knowledge base articles for diverse client audiences. • Standardized document structure, formatting, and style across multi-author projects to improve clarity, consistency, and usability.
• Developed and enforced documentation style guides to support long-term document maintenance and scalability.
• Applied Section 508 and WCAG accessibility standards to documents and PDFs to ensure compliance and accessibility for all users.
• Created fillable and calculated PDFs, forms, and templates to support operational and administrative workflows.
• Managed document version control and organization using source control systems and content management platforms.
• Migrated documentation between knowledge base systems, maintaining content integrity, formatting, and navigability.
• Performed technical editing, fact-checking, and quality assurance reviews for accuracy and compliance with client requirements.
• Collaborated with subject matter experts to translate complex technical information into clear, user-focused documentation.
• Prepared publication-ready deliverables for internal review, executive approval, and public-facing distribution.
Other Training (FEMA ISP)
• IS-393.B: Introduction to Hazard Mitigation
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Lee Rosenberg, CEM [email protected] Lafayette, CA
Consulting Partner
Emergency Operations & Hazard Mitigation Subject Matter Expert Professional Summary
Lee Rosenberg is the owner and managing director of Navigating Preparedness Associates, a disabled veteran business enterprise. As leader of the company, he provides comprehensive emergency preparedness services to industry. With more than 30 years of experience in national security, homeland security and emergency management, Mr. Rosenberg has broad and deep knowledge of practical application of government policy in these areas. He has a special focus on hazard mitigation plan development and updates in California.
Mr. Rosenberg led the URS Corporation’s Oakland environmental service department and West Coast emergency preparedness practice from 2006 to 2014. In addition, he served as a Federal Coordinating Officer for FEMA Region IX from 2004 to 2006 where he provided support to states for numerous presidentially declared disasters. Prior to working for FEMA, Mr. Rosenberg completed a 30-year career in the Navy during which he served as the commanding officer of a destroyer, USS Elliot (DD-967) and as the commander of a large amphibious assault hovercraft base. He is a combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm and retired as a Captain.
Areas of Expertise
• Certified Emergency Manager (IAEM)
• California hazard mitigation plan development and updates • Mitigation grant applications
• Hazard analysis and risk assessments
• Interagency and multi-stakeholder facilitation and coordination • Emergency preparedness training and HSEEP compliant exercises • Emergency operations planning and guidance development • Over 30 years of operational response experience
Relevant & Current Experience
Managing Director, Navigating Preparedness Associates,
Lafayette, CA | Mar 2014 – Present
• City of Pasadena, CA Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Pittsburg, CA (2024–2025) As Project Manager, led a team to update the city’s LHMP. Expedited completion of the plan to meet approval for support of post-Eaton fire HMPG eligibility. • San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, CA Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, San Bernardino, CA (2024–2025)
As Project Manager, led a team to update the district’s LHMP. Received FEMA approvable pending adoption with no comments on the Plan Review Tool. • Midway City Sanitary District Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Westminster, CA (2024–2025) As Project Manager, led a team to update the district’s LHMP. Received FEMA approvable pending adoption with no comments on the Plan Review Tool.
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• San Lorenzo Valley Water District Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Boulder Creek CA (2024– 2025)
As Project Manager, led a team to create the district’s LHMP. Received FEMA approvable pending adoption with no comments on the Plan Review Tool. • City of Pittsburg, CA Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Pittsburg, CA (2023, 2016–2017) As Project Manager and Lead Planner, led a team to complete the Pittsburg LHMP. Took over the project due to resignation of the prime contractor’s staff. Quickly revised and delivered a new LHMP. The Plan was adopted by the City Council in April 2017. • Oro Loma Sanitary District Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, San Leandro CA (2022) As Project Manager and Lead Planner, developed a new LHMP for the District. Follow on work to support a FEMA mitigation grant application was contracted. Awarded sole source contract to update the 2027 LHMP.
• Coconino County, Arizona Multi-Jurisdiction Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Flagstaff, AZ (2020–2021)
As Lead Planner, led all technical aspects to update the Clark County MJLHMP. Included innovative data analysis and GIS products. Managed a complex group of stakeholders from five incorporated cities and towns.
• Valley County Water District, Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, Baldwin Park, CA (2020) As Project Manager and Lead Planner, updated the 2008 District LHMP on an expedited basis to support application for an approved mitigation project to install a large diesel storage tank which will improve the water distribution system’s resiliency. The LHMP planning and draft document development processes were completed in two months. Follow-on work to conduct a seismic analysis and support a grant application was contracted. • Tulare County, Multi-jurisdiction Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, Visalia, CA (2016– 2018)
As Project Manager and Lead Writer, led a team to update the Tulare County MJLHMP. Included innovative data analysis and GIS products. The updated LHMP included eight cities, the Tulare County Office of Education and the Tule River Indian Tribe. Met the mandates of AB 2140 and SB 379. Found adoptable by FEMA RIX with minimal comments and adopted by the County Board in March 2018.
Environmental Department Manager and West Coast Region Emergency management Practice Area Leader
URS Corporation | 2008 – 2014
• Clark County, Nevada Multi-Jurisdiction Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Las Vegas, NV (2011–2012)
As Project Manager, led a team that updated the Clark County MJLHMP. Included innovative data analysis and GIS products. Managed a complex group of stakeholders from four incorporated cities (including Las Vegas) and two special districts. • Ventura County Multi-Jurisdiction Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Ventura County, CA (2010– 2011)
As Project Manager, supported development of an award-winning plan. The 2010 LHMP was recognized as the Best Emergency Preparedness Plan by the Ventura County Emergency Coordinators Council.
Proposal for LHMP Update
City of Barstow
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Federal Coordinating Officer, FEMA Region IX
FEMA Disaster Response Operations | 2006 – 2008
• Federal Coordinating Officer, Director, Joint Field Office, Kiholo Bay Earthquake, Honolulu, HI: Led teams providing federal support to the State of Hawaii after the 2006 earthquake.
Directed federal disaster relief programs from October 2006 to January 2007. Coordinated operations across agency and jurisdictional roles to achieve unity of action.
Captain, US Navy | 1976 – 2006
• US Navy, Multiple Command Tours: Commanding Officer of a Tomahawk missile destroyer, USS Elliot (DD-967), Commander Assault Craft Unit Five, Camp Pendelton, CA, Commander Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit, University of California, Berkeley.
Education
• Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), International Association of Emergency Managers, 2021 • Northwestern University, Master of Engineering Management Professional Affiliations & Certifications
• Certified Emergency Manager, CEM
Proposal for LHMP Update
City of Barstow
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Appendix B – Acknowledgment of Receipt of Addendum
Proposal for LHMP Update
City of Barstow
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Appendix C – Requested Contract Clarifications and Exceptions Atlas Planning Solutions (APS) appreciates the opportunity to submit this proposal to the City of Barstow for the preparation of the LHMP Update. Given the City's accelerated project schedule and desired contract execution timeline, and the sample PSA from the RFP, APS believes it is beneficial to identify a limited number of contract provisions that may require discussion if APS is selected for award.
Our intent is to facilitate an efficient contract negotiation process and avoid delays that could impact project initiation. By identifying these items in advance, APS hopes to streamline execution of the final agreement and support the City's goal of commencing work promptly and finalizing the agreement by June 24, 2026.
APS reserves the right to discuss additional contract language during negotiations; however, the following items represent the primary provisions that may require clarification or revision prior to execution.
1. Indemnification
APS requests that indemnification obligations be limited to claims, damages, losses, and expenses arising from the negligent acts, errors, or omissions of APS, its employees, agents, or subcontractors in the performance of professional services under the Agreement.
2. Duty to Defend
APS requests a revision to any provision that requires an immediate duty to defend the City prior to a determination of fault. As a professional services consultant, APS requests that defense obligations be limited to the extent required by California law and to the extent associated with APS's negligent acts, errors, or omissions.
3. Limitation of Liability
APS requests the inclusion of a reasonable limitation-of-liability provision. APS proposes that its aggregate liability arising from the Agreement be limited to the greater of (a) the total compensation received under the Agreement or (b) available insurance proceeds applicable to the claim.
4. Survival of Indemnification Obligations
APS requests that indemnification obligations not survive indefinitely and instead be limited to the applicable California statute of limitations for professional services claims.
5. Termination for Convenience
APS requests confirmation that, in the event of the City's termination for convenience, APS shall be compensated for all services satisfactorily performed through the termination date, including authorized subcontractor costs and any non-cancelable commitments reasonably incurred in support of the project.
APS looks forward to working collaboratively with the City to finalize mutually acceptable contract language and initiate the project without delay.