EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIC PLAN
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
February, 2026
Prepared by:
Adam Atamian, AICP, Community Development Director
Rachel Perez, CalOES-Certified Emergency Management Specialist Attachment 1
Executive Summary
This Emergency Management Strategic Plan (EMSP) provides a comprehensive, organized roadmap for strengthening the City’s preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery capabilities over the 2026–2031 planning horizon. The Plan builds upon existing programs and ongoing initiatives while aligning City efforts with state and federal emergency management frameworks, including FEMA’s National Preparedness Goal, the California Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
The Plan is organized around the core phases of emergency management—Planning & Preparedness, Mitigation, Response, Recovery, Training & Exercises, Community Engagement, and Program Administration—to ensure clarity, reduce duplication, and clearly communicate priorities to policymakers, staff, partner agencies, and the public. Action items are structured in implementation tables to allow for progress tracking, accountability, and future updates. This Plan is intended to guide departmental work programs, inform budget and grant strategies, and support policy direction from the Community Safety and Welfare Committee and the City Council.
Vision
Build a resilient coastal community capable of preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies while protecting life, property, and critical infrastructure.
Mission
Coordinate City departments, partner agencies, and the community to strengthen preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery capabilities across all hazards.
Planning Horizon
• Short-Term (0–2 Years): Foundational actions, compliance updates, and immediate capability gaps
• Mid-Term (3–5 Years): Program maturation, integration, and expansion • Long-Term (6–10 Years): Sustained resilience, institutionalization, and continuous improvement
Planning & Preparedness
Purpose: Strengthen the City’s readiness for emergencies through plans, coordination, and operational frameworks that are current, integrated, and actionable.
Strategic Actions
• Maintain and implement the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), including periodic updates and grant alignment
• Update the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and all functional and hazard-specific annexes
• Develop and maintain a Disaster Recovery Framework
• Update evacuation planning, including capacity analysis and coordination with partner agencies
• Establish Continuity of Government (COG) and succession planning protocols • Maintain sheltering plans for populations, pets, and service animals • Update EOC position descriptions, checklists, and activation guides • Maintain interdepartmental and external partner contact lists Action Item Description Lead / Partners Timeframe
Emergency
Operations Plan
(EOP) Maintenance
Maintain and
periodically update
the City’s EOP to
reflect organizational
changes, updated
hazard data, and
best practices.
Emergency Management
(EM) / All Depts
Ongoing
Departmental
Emergency Plans
Ensure each
department
maintains and
updates continuity
and emergency
response procedures
aligned with the
EOP.
All Depts Short–Mid
EOC Activation
Protocols
Refine activation
thresholds, call-out
procedures, and
position checklists
Emergency Management Short
Action Item Description Lead / Partners Timeframe
for scalable EOC
activation.
Interagency
Coordination
Maintain
coordination with
OCFA, OCSD, County
OA, neighboring
cities, utilities, and
NGOs.
EM Ongoing
Hazard Planning
Integration
Ensure consistency
between the General
Plan Safety Element,
LHMP, and related
planning documents.
Planning / EM Mid
[Continued on next page.]
Mitigation
Purpose: Reduce long-term risk to life, property, infrastructure, and natural resources through proactive hazard reduction and resilience investments.
Strategic Actions
• Implement wildfire risk reduction initiatives, including:
o Fire Risk Reduction Community List participation
o Weed abatement and vegetation management programs
o Targeted fuel reduction projects, including goat grazing • Develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
• Integrate mitigation priorities into capital improvement planning • Maintain StormReady and TsunamiReady designations
• Support climate adaptation and resilience initiatives consistent with the LHMP Action Item Description Lead / Partners Timeframe
Wildfire
Prevention
Program
Implement
vegetation
management,
defensible space
coordination, and
fuel reduction
strategies.
EM / Public Works / OCFA Ongoing
Develop CWPP Obtain funding for
the development of
a CWPP, contract
services to create
the plan, and
oversee
implementation
EM / Public Works / OCFA Short–Mid
Grant
Development
Pursue and manage
mitigation funding
(e.g., HMGP, Cal Fire
grants).
EM / Finance Short–Mid
Fire Risk Reduction
Communities
Apply for and
maintain designation
on the State Fire Risk
EM / OCFA Short
Action Item Description Lead / Partners Timeframe
Reduction
Communities List.
Infrastructure
Resilience
Coordinate with
Public Works to
identify vulnerable
facilities and
systems.
Public Works / EM Mid
Land Use
Coordination
Integrate hazard
mitigation
considerations into
planning and
development review.
Planning Ongoing
[Continued on next page.]
Response
Purpose: Ensure the City can effectively manage incidents through coordinated command, communications, and resource deployment.
Strategic Actions
• Maintain and modernize the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) • Update EOC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Maintain and administer WebEOC and AlertOC systems
• Formalize and maintain mutual aid agreements and MOUs • Coordinate response planning with Orange County EOC, OCEMO, and neighboring jurisdictions
• Maintain emergency communications systems and redundancies • Establish clear administrative enforcement and documentation procedures during emergencies
Action Item Description Lead / Partners Timeframe
EOC Readiness Maintain EOC
staffing plans,
equipment, and
redundancy.
EM / IT Ongoing
WebEOC
Utilization
Expand and
standardize WebEOC
usage across
departments.
EM / IT Short
Field–EOC
Coordination
Improve
coordination
between field
responders and the
EOC during
incidents.
EM / OCFA / OCSD Ongoing
Alert & Warning Maintain AlertOC
integration and
protocols.
EM / OCSD Ongoing
Recovery
Purpose: Support effective short- and long-term recovery following emergencies and disasters.
Strategic Actions
• Develop post-disaster recovery staffing and contracting strategies • Identify funding mechanisms for recovery and rebuilding • Establish volunteer and donation management protocols • Coordinate with non-profit and community-based organizations • Maintain continuity planning for essential City services Action Item Description Lead / Partners Timeframe
Recovery
Framework
Establish recovery
roles,
responsibilities, and
coordination
protocols.
EM / All Depts Mid
Damage
Assessment
Maintain procedures
and training for postdisaster damage
assessments.
Building / EM Ongoing
Disaster Cost
Recovery
Coordinate
documentation for
FEMA and State
reimbursement.
Finance / EM Ongoing
Community
Recovery
Coordination
Work with NGOs and
partner agencies to
support affected
populations.
EM / Social Services Mid
[Continued on next page.]
Training & Exercises
Purpose: Build and sustain staff capability through regular training and exercises.
Strategic Actions
• Conduct annual and quarterly tabletop and functional exercises • Provide role-specific EOC and ICS training for staff
• Maintain compliance with NIMS and ICS training standards • Conduct hazard-specific exercises (wildfire, tsunami, earthquake, cyber incidents) • Complete After-Action Reports (AARs) and track corrective actions Action Item Description Lead / Partners Timeframe
ICS & SEMS
Training
Maintain compliance
with required
ICS/SEMS training
levels.
EM / HR Ongoing
EOC Training Conduct regular EOC
position-specific
training.
EM Short–Mid
Exercises Conduct tabletop
and functional
exercises focused on
wildfire and other
hazards.
EM / OCFA Annual
After-Action
Reviews
Document lessons
learned and
integrate
improvements.
EM Ongoing
[Continued on next page.]
Community Engagement
Purpose: Enhance community preparedness, awareness, and resilience.
Strategic Actions
• Expand Ready San Clemente and Ready, Set, Go! outreach • Integrate emergency preparedness messaging into community events • Support CERT and RACES programs
• Enhance public-facing preparedness resources
• Coordinate outreach with schools, HOAs, and community groups Action Item Description Lead / Partners Timeframe
Public Education Provide
preparedness
messaging and
materials.
EM / PIO Ongoing
Volunteer
Programs
Support CERT and
RACES participation
and training.
EM Ongoing
HOA & Stakeholder
Outreach
Coordinate with
HOAs and
community groups
on wildfire
preparedness.
EM / OCFA Ongoing
[Continued on next page.]
Program Administration
Purpose: Ensure the emergency management program is sustainable, accountable, and wellcoordinated.
Strategic Actions
• Maintain an Emergency Management work plan and task tracker • Pursue and manage state and federal grant funding
• Track performance metrics and program outcomes
• Participate in regional coordination meetings
• Support ongoing professional development
Action Item Description Lead / Partners Timeframe
Program
Management
Oversee
implementation and
tracking of EMSP
actions.
EM Ongoing
Policy
Development
Maintain
emergency-related
ordinances,
resolutions, and
policies.
EM / City Attorney Mid
Reporting Provide updates to
the Community
Safety and Welfare
Committee and City
Council.
EM Ongoing
Plan Maintenance Periodically review
and update this
Strategic Plan.
EM Mid–Long
Conclusion
This Strategic Plan provides a clear, structured roadmap for strengthening the City’s emergency management capabilities over the next five years while remaining flexible to emerging risks and opportunities.