On March 5, 2025, a joint hearing of the California State Senate's Legislative Audit Committee and the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management addressed critical findings regarding the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and its oversight of local emergency planning. The discussions highlighted significant gaps in Cal OES's guidance, particularly concerning the needs of individuals with access and functional needs (AFN), including people with disabilities and senior citizens.

The audit revealed that since 2013, state law has mandated Cal OES to incorporate best practices for evacuating vulnerable populations into the state emergency plan. However, the agency has failed to update the plan accordingly, opting instead to post relevant information on a separate, poorly organized website. This website reportedly contains over 250 links with vague titles, making it difficult for local jurisdictions to access essential resources.

Additionally, the audit criticized Cal OES for not developing effective guidelines for disaster registries, which are intended to help first responders identify and assist individuals with AFN during emergencies. While some counties, like Butte, have successfully implemented these registries, they lacked the necessary guidance from Cal OES to optimize their use.

The meeting also addressed the inadequacy of Cal OES's library of emergency alert messages in foreign languages. The library did not include English translations, complicating local jurisdictions' ability to communicate effectively during disasters. Furthermore, the agency has struggled to complete after-action reports in a timely manner, with 57 out of 65 required reports remaining unfinished from 2014 to 2018. This delay hinders local emergency managers from learning from past disasters.

In response to these findings, the audit proposed several recommendations aimed at improving emergency management practices. Key suggestions included directing Cal OES to review local emergency plans annually for compliance with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards and to involve representatives from the AFN community in the development of state emergency plans. The legislature has since enacted several bills addressing these recommendations, including requirements for Cal OES to coordinate with AFN populations and to complete after-action reports within 180 days.

Counties were also encouraged to update their emergency management plans and establish regular review schedules, with varying levels of compliance reported. The discussions underscored the importance of inclusive emergency planning to ensure the safety and well-being of all Californians during disasters. As the state moves forward, the implementation of these recommendations will be crucial in enhancing the effectiveness of emergency management systems and ensuring that the needs of vulnerable populations are adequately addressed.