Adoption of the Salinas
Emergency Operations Plan 2026
City Council briefing
October 2026
Why the plan is being updated
A current Citywide framework for emergencies
The 2015 plan predates major changes in risk, technology, public warning, and continuity planning.
Uses current Salinas hazard and exposure information
Addresses cyber incidents, public health emergencies, utility failures, and severe weather Defines how every City department supports EOC operations Aligns City operations with SEMS, NIMS, and the Incident Command System 2 Emergency management standards
The 2026 plan makes the operating framework explicit
The 2015 plan did not expressly identify SEMS or the Incident Command System as the City’s operating doctrine.
SEMS
California’s Standardized Emergency Management System for multi-agency coordination, mutual aid, and communication among field, City, Operational Area, regional, and state levels NIMS and ICS
National standard command structure for field operations, including common terminology, manageable span of control, and scalable incident organization City EOC
Coordinates policy, information, resources, continuity, public communications, and regional support while field command retains tactical control The updated plan also establishes activation levels, operational periods, EOC Action Plans, resource tracking, and standardized documentation. 3 How the plans work together
Two adopted plans with different but connected purposes
MONTEREY COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN Identifies and assesses Salinas hazards, community exposure, and long-term projects that reduce risk before disasters occur.
SALINAS EMERGENCY
OPERATIONS PLAN
Directs how the City organizes, communicates, protects residents, obtains resources, maintains services, and recovers during emergencies.
The 2026 EOP uses the mitigation plan’s Salinas risk assessment as its planning basis and includes operational annexes for:
Earthquake and liquefaction
Flood, severe weather, and El Niño
Dam failure
Wildfire, smoke, heat, and drought.
Cyber attack and utility interruption
Public health and water contamination
Targeted violence and civil disturbance
Airport emergencies
4 Salinas hazard priorities
Highest Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) scores HIGH
13.6 Drought
13.3 Earthquake
12.7 Cyberattack
SUBSTANTIAL
Seven additional hazards score from 10.1 to 11.7
Scores combine extent, likelihood, severity, and impact. Maximum score: 16.
CITY OF SALINAS EOP UPDATE
MJHMP Annex J, Table J-2
4 Earthquake risk is citywide
Liquefaction concentrates additional risk in former wetlands and alluvial soils 32,057
buildings potentially exposed
$12.42B
combined building value
40,954
people in high liquefaction susceptibility
High susceptibility areas include 2 emergency response facilities, 5 medical facilities, 24 government facilities, 67 communication facilities, 5 rail miles, and about 80 road miles.
CITY OF SALINAS EOP UPDATE
MJHMP Annex J, Table J-4 and Figure J-2
5 Flooding follows known corridors
Creeks, Carr Lake, the Reclamation Ditch, and drainage constraints shape local operations 15,415
people in the 1% annual chance floodplain
$723M
residential and nonresidential property in that floodplain 21 mi
of roadway in the 1% annual chance floodplain
Known problem areas include Carr Lake, Cesar Chavez Park, Gabilan, Natividad and Alisal Creeks, Kern, Market, Merced and Williams, and the Reclamation Ditch.
CITY OF SALINAS EOP UPDATE
MJHMP Annex J, Table J-5 and Figure J-3
6 Dam failure requires route-based evacuation planning
Nacimiento and San Antonio scenarios affect the south and west sides of Salinas 10,545
people exposed in the Nacimiento dam failure scenario
8,825
people exposed in the San Antonio dam failure scenario
Potentially exposed routes include Blanco, Davis and Harkins Roads, Highways 68, 101 and 183, and Abbott Street.
CITY OF SALINAS EOP UPDATE
MJHMP Annex J, Table J-3 and Figure J-1
8 Hazardous materials and transportation corridors
82,575
residents in the modeled mobile source exposure area
74,602
residents in the modeled fixed source exposure area
Sources
Agricultural refrigerants and pesticides, fixed facilities, Highway 101, Union Pacific rail, and surface streets Protective actions
Shelter in place or evacuation based on substance, quantity, weather, and route conditions Coordination
Regional HazMat team activation, unified command, law enforcement, public health, hospitals, and facility operators Continuity
Plan for power, water, communications, or transportation disruption during the release Exposure figures use one mile planning buffers and do not predict the impact area of a specific release.
CITY OF SALINAS EOP UPDATE
MJHMP Annex J, Table J-6
9 Other Salinas hazards require dedicated procedures
Several substantial risks can interrupt government and community services CYBERATTACK 12.7
City systems, dispatch support, records, public information, and restoration priorities PUBLIC HEALTH 11.7
Disease outbreak, workforce continuity, medical surge, health guidance, and mass care WATER CONTAMINATION 11.1
Rapid warning, alternate water, public health coordination, and vulnerable populations UTILITY INTERRUPTION 10.6
Critical facilities, communications, transportation, fuel, housing, and restoration priorities TARGETED VIOLENCE 10.3
Unified command, security, family assistance, victim services, and continuity AGRICULTURAL EMERGENCY 11.5
Economic disruption, worker health and safety, water supply, and regional coordination
CITY OF SALINAS EOP UPDATE
MJHMP Annex J, Table J-2
11 Principal changes in the 2026 update
Areas added or strengthened since the 2015 plan
Planning area
2026 update
Hazards
Salinas-specific annexes and exposure data for earthquake, flood, dam failure, cyber, public health, utilities, and other threats EOC operations
Activation levels, final department assignments, operational cycles, and position checklists Public warning
English and Spanish messaging, accessible formats, redundant channels, and rumor control Continuity and recovery
Essential-service priorities, damage assessment, cost documentation, reimbursement, and early recovery planning Plan maintenance
Quarterly roster checks, annual review, updates after activations and exercises, and comprehensive review every three years 5 How Salinas will operate
One scalable system from field response to City policy
FIELD RESPONSE
Incident Command System
Tactical operations and life safety
CITY EOC
Coordination and support
Operations • Planning • Logistics
Finance • Public Information
The City Manager serves as Director of Emergency Services The EOC connects departments with the Monterey County Operational Area Recovery, continuity, damage, and cost tracking begin during response 6 Local risk and public protection
Salinas data guides planning and public communication
13.6 Drought and water shortage
hazard score
32,057
Buildings in the earthquake
planning inventory
15,415
Residents in the 1% annual-chance
floodplain
Every emergency message states
What happened and who is affected
What residents should do and where verified help is available When the City will issue the next update
English and Spanish messages are released together whenever time permits, with accessible and backup communication methods. 7 Council action
Adopt the City of Salinas Emergency Operations Plan 2026 Recommended motion
Adopt the City of Salinas Emergency Operations Plan 2026 and direct staff to maintain the Plan through annual reviews, updates following activations and exercises, and a comprehensive review every three years from the date of adoption.
Adoption has no immediate fiscal impact, and no appropriation is requested The Plan supersedes prior City emergency operations plans upon approval Questions ?
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