City of Fortuna Response to Humboldt
County Civil Grand Jury Report
Emergency Preparedness: The Role of Local Law Enforcement (Released June 17, 2026)
Introduction
The City of Fortuna and the Fortuna Police Department appreciate the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury’s attention to emergency preparedness and the important role local law enforcement agencies serve before, during, and after disasters. The report recognizes the unique responsibilities of local police departments in protecting life, maintaining public order, coordinating with partner agencies, and supporting community resilience during emergencies.
The City and Department generally agree with the Civil Grand Jury’s emphasis on continued planning, training, interagency coordination, documentation of local operational knowledge, and investment in emergency preparedness. These are important components of an effective public safety organization and are consistent with the City’s ongoing commitment to public safety.
At the same time, the City believes additional context is appropriate regarding the operational realities faced by smaller municipal police agencies. Daily patrol operations, emergency responses, criminal investigations, staffing limitations, budget constraints, mandatory training requirements, and evolving public safety demands require continual balancing of available personnel and financial resources. Despite these challenges, the City and Department remain committed to continually improving the City’s emergency preparedness capabilities while maintaining the high level of service expected by the community.
The City and Department also recognize that emergency preparedness is not a static achievement but an ongoing process requiring regular evaluation, collaboration, training, and adaptation as community risks, technology, and best practices evolve.
The Fortuna City Council submits this response as the governing body required to respond under Penal Code section 933. The Chief of Police joins this document as an invited respondent to provide the operational perspective of the Fortuna Police Department.
Current State of Emergency Preparedness
The City of Fortuna recognizes that effective emergency preparedness is built through continuous planning, training, interagency coordination, and operational readiness rather than a single plan or event. Emergency preparedness is an ongoing responsibility that requires regular evaluation and adaptation to meet evolving community needs, emerging threats, and changing best practices.
The City operates within the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), and Incident Command System (ICS) frameworks adopted throughout California. City personnel and departments work alongside local, county, state, tribal, and federal partners during planned events, emergencies, investigations, and critical incidents requiring unified command and coordinated response.
The City and Fortuna Police Department collaborate with the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services, Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, local fire agencies, emergency medical services, California Highway Patrol, neighboring law enforcement agencies, school districts, and other public safety and community partners to prepare for and respond to emergencies affecting the community. Within the City, emergency preparedness and response require coordination among the Police Department, Public Works, City Administration, and other City personnel and resources based on the nature and scope of the incident. These partnerships and internal coordination efforts are strengthened through mutual aid, training opportunities, emergency planning, and operational coordination.
The City and Department also recognize the importance of preserving institutional knowledge and continually improving emergency preparedness practices. While experienced personnel possess valuable operational knowledge developed through years of service, the City and Department support ongoing efforts to document local emergency response priorities, operational considerations, and best practices to enhance organizational continuity and ensure future personnel are well prepared to respond to emergencies.
As a smaller municipality, the City must balance emergency preparedness initiatives with daily patrol operations, criminal investigations, mandatory training requirements, staffing levels, and other public safety responsibilities. Despite these operational realities, the City and Department remain committed to identifying opportunities to strengthen emergency preparedness, improve regional coordination, expand training opportunities, and enhance the City’s ability to protect the community during emergencies and disasters.
Response to Findings
Finding F1
Grand Jury Finding: “Local law enforcement agencies can provide input into the Humboldt County Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Emergency Operations Plan, but many do not participate. Non-inclusion in the plans may hinder coordination with other first responders during a disaster.”
Response: Agree.
Status: Ongoing.
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that participation in countywide emergency planning contributes to effective coordination during emergencies and disasters. Collaboration between the City, local law enforcement agencies, the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services, fire agencies, emergency medical services, public works, and other partner organizations supports a unified approach to emergency management and enhances overall community preparedness.
While staffing levels, emergency response responsibilities, and other operational priorities may occasionally affect attendance at individual meetings, the City and Police Department have participated in regional emergency preparedness efforts and have provided operational input during the development and review of emergency planning initiatives when requested.
The City and Police Department remain committed to participating in emergency planning activities and providing law enforcement perspectives that strengthen countywide emergency preparedness, improve coordination among responding agencies, and enhance the City’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies and disasters.
Finding F2
Grand Jury Finding: "Local law enforcement agency representatives typically do not attend regular Office of Emergency Services meetings due to time constraints or higher priority obligations. Irregular participation in these meetings limits their ability to share their experience and may also lead to reduced coordination with other first responders during a disaster." Response: Agree.
Status: Will continue to improve.
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that regular participation in Office of Emergency Services meetings provides valuable
opportunities to strengthen relationships, exchange information, and enhance regional emergency preparedness.
The City recognizes that staffing levels, emergency response responsibilities, scheduled training, and other operational priorities may occasionally affect attendance at individual meetings. Even when attendance is impacted, the City and Police Department maintain strong working relationships and regularly coordinate with local, county, state, tribal, and regional public safety partners through mutual aid, planned events, emergency incidents, training, and other collaborative efforts.
The City and Police Department remain committed to participating in Office of Emergency Services meetings, as appropriate, and will continue providing law enforcement perspectives that support regional emergency planning and coordinated emergency response.
Finding F3
Grand Jury Finding: "Local government representatives (such as city managers) who do attend the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services meetings may not provide input from a law enforcement perspective. This lack of input can result in the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services not being fully aware of the priorities and requirements of local law enforcement agencies as it updates the Hazard Mitigation and Emergency Operations Plans." Response: Agree.
Status: Ongoing.
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that law enforcement perspectives provide important operational input during emergency planning activities. The Police Department possesses unique knowledge regarding public safety operations, traffic management, evacuations, critical infrastructure protection, mutual aid coordination, and incident response that can assist in the development and refinement of emergency plans.
The City Administration and the Police Department communicate regarding emergency preparedness, operational priorities, and public safety matters. City representatives have conveyed the City's interests during emergency planning processes, and the Police Department has provided operational input when requested and as appropriate.
The City recognizes that effective emergency planning benefits from contributions made by multiple municipal and public safety disciplines. City Administration, Public Works, the Police Department, fire services, emergency management partners, and other responding agencies
each provide unique knowledge and operational perspectives that contribute to comprehensive emergency preparedness.
The City and Police Department are committed to ensuring law enforcement perspectives are represented during emergency planning processes and will continue to work collaboratively with the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services and regional partners to support comprehensive emergency preparedness and coordinated disaster response planning.
Finding F4
Grand Jury Finding: "The unique disaster response needs of local communities are known by experienced officers but are not always articulated in local law enforcement agency disaster response documentation. As a result, new or less experienced officers may not have access to this information."
Response: Agree.
Status: Will continue to improve.
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that documenting local emergency response priorities, operational considerations, and community-specific knowledge supports organizational continuity and strengthens emergency preparedness. While experienced personnel develop valuable knowledge through training, operational experience, and emergency response activities, documenting that knowledge helps ensure important information is available to future personnel and supports consistency in emergency operations.
The City recognizes that effective emergency preparedness includes both written guidance and the practical experience gained through training, mentorship, and real-world incident response.
Emergency operations plans, policies, standard operating procedures, position guides, supervisory guidance, and training collectively contribute to preparing City personnel to respond effectively during emergencies.
The City and Police Department support ongoing efforts to review and enhance emergency response documentation, as appropriate, to capture local operational knowledge, improve continuity, and strengthen the City's preparedness for future emergencies and disasters.
Finding F5
Grand Jury Finding: "Incident Command System training is a core component of California and national emergency response protocols but is typically received by law enforcement officers only when they are at the police academy. This knowledge degrades without refresher training."
Response: Agree.
Status: Ongoing.
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that regular Incident Command System (ICS) training and participation in disaster-related exercises strengthen emergency preparedness and support effective integration into unified command structures during large-scale emergencies.
The Police Department regularly applies ICS principles during planned events, critical incidents, mutual aid responses, and multi-agency operations. These real-world operational experiences reinforce command, coordination, communication, and resource management practices that are fundamental to effective emergency response.
The City recognizes the value of formal disaster-specific tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises as an important complement to operational experience. The Police Department remains committed to participating in future emergency management training and exercises, as opportunities arise, to further strengthen preparedness, enhance interagency coordination, and support effective disaster response.
Finding F6
Grand Jury Finding: "Scenario-based Incident Command System training is not regularly conducted due to staffing constraints and budgetary limitations. As a result, local law enforcement officers may not be adequately trained in their disaster-response roles." Response: Agree.
Status: Will continue to improve.
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that scenario-based Incident Command System (ICS) training provides valuable opportunities for law enforcement personnel to apply emergency management principles in realistic training environments. Scenario-based exercises strengthen decision-making, interagency coordination, communications, and command functions that are essential during complex emergencies and disasters.
The City also recognizes that staffing levels, budget limitations, mandatory training requirements, and daily operational responsibilities can affect the frequency and scope of scenario-based training opportunities. As a smaller municipal law enforcement agency, the Police Department must balance emergency preparedness training with minimum staffing requirements and the ongoing responsibility to provide uninterrupted police services to the community.
The City and Police Department support expanding opportunities for scenario-based training, particularly when conducted in partnership with regional public safety agencies. The City and Department will continue to evaluate opportunities to participate in and develop practical emergency preparedness training that enhances operational readiness while balancing available resources and operational priorities.
Finding F7
Grand Jury Finding: "When held, scenario-based disaster response training typically focuses on agency coordination, mitigation, and planning, but often does not include the actual activities that need to be performed during a real event. As a result, law enforcement officers may not be adequately trained on the specific skills needed to respond to disasters in their communities." Response: Partially Agree.
Status: Ongoing.
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that participation in disaster-related tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises provides valuable opportunities to strengthen interagency coordination, validate emergency response procedures, and enhance overall disaster preparedness.
The Police Department routinely participates in planned events, mutual aid incidents, and multiagency operations that require coordinated command, communication, and resource management. These operational experiences reinforce many of the same principles used during emergency management exercises while strengthening working relationships with partner agencies.
The City recognizes that formal disaster-specific exercises provide additional opportunities to evaluate emergency plans, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen regional preparedness. The Police Department remains committed to participating in future emergency management exercises, as opportunities arise, and to continuing collaboration with the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services and regional partners to enhance coordinated disaster response.
Finding F8
Grand Jury Finding: "Some specialized disaster response equipment is unavailable or not adequately maintained by local law enforcement agencies due to budgetary limitations. As a result, these agencies may be unable to respond effectively or efficiently to local disasters." Response: Agree.
Status: Ongoing.
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that evaluating specialized emergency response equipment needs and maintaining awareness of available resources contributes to effective emergency preparedness and disaster response.
The Police Department routinely assesses its equipment needs as part of its operational planning and budgeting processes. In addition to equipment maintained by the City, the Police Department benefits from well-established mutual aid agreements and regional partnerships that provide access to specialized resources during significant emergencies and disasters. This collaborative approach supports an effective and coordinated response while promoting responsible stewardship of public resources.
The City remains committed to periodically evaluating emergency response equipment needs, identifying opportunities to strengthen preparedness, and working with regional partners to ensure appropriate resources are available to support emergency operations.
Finding F9
Grand Jury Finding: "Availability of specialized disaster response equipment is less of an issue for the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. This allows them to respond to local disasters more effectively themselves and to serve as a potential source of equipment for local agencies." Response: Agree.
Status: Ongoing.
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that regional partnerships and mutual aid are essential components of emergency preparedness and disaster response. The ability to request specialized equipment, personnel, and technical resources through established mutual aid systems strengthens the overall emergency response capabilities of jurisdictions and public safety agencies throughout Humboldt County.
The City values its collaborative relationship with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office and other regional public safety partners. During significant emergencies and disasters, resource sharing and coordinated response efforts allow the City and its departments to leverage specialized capabilities that may not be maintained by every individual jurisdiction.
The City and Police Department remain committed to maintaining strong working relationships with regional partners and utilizing established mutual aid systems to support effective emergency response and protect the community during emergencies and disasters.
Response to Recommendations
Recommendation R2
Grand Jury Recommendation: "The city councils for Arcata, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, and Rio Dell direct their Police Chiefs to designate representatives to attend the regular meetings and provide input to the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services by no later than December 31, 2026."
Response: Recommendation has not yet been fully implemented but will be implemented in the future.
Implementation Status: Ongoing
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that participation in Office of Emergency Services meetings provides valuable opportunities to strengthen regional coordination, share operational perspectives, and support comprehensive emergency planning. Continued collaboration among local, county, state, tribal, and other public safety partners enhances preparedness and improves coordinated emergency response.
Consistent with the recommendation, the City and Police Department are committed to designating an appropriate Police Department representative to participate in Office of Emergency Services meetings and provide law enforcement input, as appropriate. Depending on meeting topics, operational needs, and staffing considerations, attendance may be by the Chief of Police or another designated Department representative. The City will designate a Police Department representative for this purpose no later than December 31, 2026.
The City and Police Department will continue working collaboratively with the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services and regional public safety partners to strengthen emergency preparedness and support coordinated emergency planning efforts.
Recommendation R3
Grand Jury Recommendation: "The city councils for Arcata, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, and Rio Dell direct their Police Chiefs to ensure that a complete list of local disaster response needs, priorities, and protocols is included in their individual city disaster response documentation by no later than March 31, 2027."
Response: Recommendation has not yet been fully implemented but will be implemented in the future.
Implementation Status: Ongoing
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that documenting local disaster response needs, operational priorities, and response protocols strengthens organizational continuity, supports emergency preparedness, and enhances the transfer of institutional knowledge to future personnel.
The City and Police Department maintain emergency planning documents, policies, operational guidance, and procedures that support emergency response activities. The City recognizes the value of periodically reviewing and enhancing documentation to ensure local operational considerations, community-specific response priorities, and lessons learned are appropriately incorporated into emergency planning documents.
Consistent with the recommendation, the City and Police Department are committed to reviewing and updating applicable emergency response documentation, as appropriate, to ensure local disaster response needs, operational priorities, and protocols are incorporated into the City's emergency planning process. This review and any appropriate updates will be completed no later than March 31, 2027.
Recommendation R7
Grand Jury Recommendation: "The city councils for Arcata, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, and Rio Dell, after consultation with their respective police chiefs, add scenario-based ICS Field Response Training as a separate line item within the FY 2027-2028 local police department budget."
Response: Recommendation requires further analysis.
Implementation Status: Future budget consideration.
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that scenario-based Incident Command System (ICS) field response training provides significant value in preparing personnel for complex emergencies and disasters. Practical training enhances decision-making, reinforces command principles, strengthens interagency coordination, and improves operational readiness.
The City recognizes that budget development requires balancing numerous municipal and public safety priorities, operational needs, staffing requirements, mandatory training obligations, equipment replacement, and available financial resources. The recommendation to establish a separate budget line item for scenario-based ICS Field Response Training requires further analysis through the City's budget development process.
The City and Police Department will analyze anticipated training needs, potential costs, regional training opportunities, available grant funding, staffing impacts, and the usefulness of
establishing a separate budget line item for scenario-based Incident Command System (ICS) Field Response Training. Staff will present the results of that analysis and any recommendations to the City Council for discussion no later than December 17, 2026.
The City and Police Department support evaluating opportunities to expand scenario-based emergency preparedness training through future budget discussions, grant opportunities, regional partnerships, and collaborative training efforts with other public safety agencies.
Recommendation R8
Grand Jury Recommendation: "The city councils for Arcata, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, and Rio Dell direct their Police Chiefs to add scenario-based ICS Field Response Training to their regular training schedule, by no later than July 1, 2028."
Response: Recommendation has not yet been fully implemented but will be implemented in the future.
Implementation Status: Ongoing.
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that incorporating additional scenario-based Incident Command System (ICS) field response training into the Police Department's training program would enhance emergency preparedness and reinforce operational coordination during complex incidents and disasters.
The City recognizes that Police Department training schedules must balance mandatory Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requirements, legal updates, tactical and perishable skills training, staffing levels, operational responsibilities, and available training resources. Within these operational considerations, the City and Police Department are committed to incorporating disaster-focused, scenario-based training into the Department's training program as staffing, operational needs, and available resources permit.
The City and Police Department remain committed to strengthening emergency preparedness through practical training opportunities, collaboration with City departments and regional public safety partners, and continued evaluation of training priorities that enhance the City's ability to respond effectively to emergencies and disasters.
Recommendation R9
Grand Jury Recommendation: "The city councils for Arcata, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, and Rio Dell, after consultation with their respective police chiefs, add specialized disaster response equipment, maintenance, and training/certification as separate line items within the FY 2027- 2028 local Police Department Budget."
Response: Recommendation requires further analysis.
Implementation Status: Future budget consideration.
City Council Response; Police Chief Concurs as Invited Respondent: The City of Fortuna agrees that specialized emergency response equipment, equipment maintenance, and appropriate training and certification enhance the City's ability to respond effectively to emergencies and disasters. The City and Police Department continually evaluate emergency equipment and resource needs based on operational requirements, identified risks, available resources, and regional response capabilities.
The City recognizes that acquisition of specialized equipment, ongoing maintenance, certification requirements, and replacement planning require careful evaluation through the City's budget development process. Budget decisions must balance emergency preparedness with other municipal and public safety priorities, operational needs, staffing requirements, and available financial resources.
The City and Police Department will analyze specialized disaster response equipment needs, associated maintenance and replacement costs, applicable training and certification requirements, available grant funding, staffing impacts, regional resource capabilities, and the usefulness of establishing separate budget line items for specialized disaster response equipment, maintenance, and training/certification. Staff will present the results of that analysis and any recommendations to the City Council for discussion no later than December 17, 2026.
The City and Police Department support evaluating future opportunities to enhance emergency response capabilities through strategic equipment replacement, grant funding, regional partnerships, mutual aid resources, and future budget discussions.
Overall Response
The City of Fortuna appreciates the opportunity to review the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury's findings and recommendations. The City believes the recommendations provide opportunities to further strengthen emergency preparedness while building upon the collaborative relationships, planning efforts, operational practices, and regional partnerships already in place.
The City and Fortuna Police Department recognize that effective emergency preparedness requires participation and coordination across City departments and with regional emergency response partners. The findings and recommendations contained in the Grand Jury's report provide an additional opportunity to evaluate current practices, identify areas for continued
improvement, and strengthen the City's overall emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
Conclusion
The City of Fortuna appreciates the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury's review of emergency preparedness and its recognition of the important role local government and law enforcement agencies serve in protecting communities before, during, and after emergencies and disasters.
The City recognizes that emergency preparedness is not a static achievement but a continuous process of planning, training, evaluation, collaboration, and improvement. As community risks, technology, and best practices evolve, so too must the City's emergency preparedness efforts.
While the City supports many of the Grand Jury's recommendations, it also recognizes that successful implementation must be balanced with municipal and public safety responsibilities, staffing considerations, available resources, and the City's annual budget process.
The City of Fortuna and the Fortuna Police Department remain committed to strengthening emergency preparedness through regional partnerships, practical training, operational planning, documentation of institutional knowledge, and continuous evaluation of emergency response capabilities. Working collaboratively across City departments and with regional public safety and emergency management partners, the City will continue pursuing opportunities to enhance its ability to protect the community and effectively respond to emergencies and disasters.
CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL
The foregoing response was approved and adopted by the Fortuna City Council at a duly noticed public meeting held on ____________, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
________________________
Mayor
For the Fortuna City Council
INVITED POLICE CHIEF RESPONSE
I join in the foregoing response as the invited response of the Fortuna Police Department Chief of Police.
________________________
Matthew A. Eberhardt
Chief of Police