SACRAMENTO – As part of the Schwarzenegger Administration’s ongoing efforts to improve its ability to immediately respond to threats of bioterrorism, pandemic flu and other public health emergencies, State Health Director Sandra Shewry today opened the new high-tech Joint Emergency Operations Center (JEOC) shared by the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) and Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA).

"The cutting-edge technology in the new Emergency Operations Center enables a rapid and coordinated response during attacks, natural disasters or disease outbreaks," Shewry said.  “This center will help save lives and reduce illness and injury.”

Located within CDHS’ headquarters in Sacramento, the 7,000 square-foot center serves as a central point for coordinating field and program activities and emergency mutual aid between local, state and federal governments.  Featuring an “Operations Room” with floor-to-ceiling video display monitors capable of providing links to 20 different visual sources, the center can connect live to Emergency Operations Centers located at the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the California Public Health Laboratory in Richmond and others.

“During a disaster, EMSA and CDHS work closely to meet the medical and health needs of affected Californians,” said EMSA Director Dr. Cesar Aristeiguieta.  “This joint center will allow us to quickly coordinate information and resources to support local communities as they respond to all disasters.”

The JEOC is a part of Governor Schwarzenegger’s comprehensive effort to better prepare California for responding to natural and manmade emergencies.  Consistent with his commitment, the Governor’s Budget includes an increase of nearly $61 million in state and federal funds to bolster state and local public health capacity to prevent and respond to disease outbreaks and natural or intentional disasters.  This total includes $27.6 million to strengthen state and local pandemic influenza planning and response efforts.

Strategically designed to organize and support up to 80 emergency response personnel on a 24-hour basis, the center functions within California’s Standardized Emergency Management System and works within the guidelines of the federal National Incident Management System.  It includes emergency satellite communications, California Mutual Aid Radio System, emergency backup amateur AM radio network hookups, Centrex phone system to handle public calls and backup emergency power.

Tasked with protecting and improving the health of all Californians, the center provides the workspace and equipment necessary to closely coordinate with local health departments and other agencies responding to public health disasters.

“Whenever there’s a disaster, we must have the quickest response possible,” said State Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton.  “This new facility improves our response time by immediately connecting us live and visually with other decision makers and responders involved, allowing staff to efficiently provide supplies, information, guidance and other assistance.”

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