City of Gonzales
FIRE DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: September 2, 2025
FROM: Jason Muscio, Fire Chief
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: MOA with FEMA Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) for Emergency Networks
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) regarding the use of City of Gonzales Interoperable Systems and IPAWS OPEN Platform for Emergency Networks.
BACKGROUND
The City is responsible for emergency response within its geographical boundaries. The California Emergency Services Act requires that cities manage and coordinate the overall emergency response and recovery activities within their jurisdictions. The City’s emergency management team has been tasked with evaluating and improving our plan to respond to and mitigate hazards associated with all types of emergencies including flooding. The City of Gonzales has experienced catastrophic flooding in the past and remains susceptible to potentially devastating flooding events. The Emergency Management Team has identified deficiencies within our Flood Emergency Response program. A grant application to the California Department of Water Resources was approved by the City Council on April 2, 2024, to provide funding for improvements to the Flood Emergency Response plan, and on September 26, 2024, the City was awarded $49,875 in funds to make said improvements. $39,000 dollars of the funding awarded was for the purchase and 5-year operation of an Emergency Mass Notification System. The Emergency Management Team reviewed proposals from several vendors, and selected Everbridge as the vendor to provide the Emergency Mass Notification System. While Everbridge provides the software, the authorization to send emergency alerts through the system is given by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the MOA (Exhibit A) is a necessary part of the authorization process.
AGENDA
ITEM
6 REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explain: A comprehensive Flood Emergency Response program is vital for maintaining the health and safety of our residents during times of emergency.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community.
Explain: The Emergency Mass Notification system will greatly enhance the City’s ability to provide warnings and directions to our residents in times of emergency.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to insure the safety and well being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Explain: All costs involved with implementing the program will be funded by the grant.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing Yes No X N/A
• Recreation Yes No X N/A
• Environment Yes No X N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
Explain: See above.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could direct staff to not to enter into this MOUS. This is not recommended as we will not be able to implement the notification system without the IPAWS approval.
BUDGET IMPACT
As stated above, the costs involved in implementing the upgrades to the Flood Emergency Response plan including the Mass Notification System are covered by grant funds.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) regarding the use of City of Gonzales Interoperable Systems and IPAWS OPEN Platform for Emergency Networks.
Attachments:
1. MOA FEMA IPAWS - Exhibit A