To: Board of Supervisors, County of Sonoma
Department or Agency Name(s): Emergency Management
Staff Name and Phone Number: Jeff DuVall / 707-565-1152
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Adopt a Gold Resolution Proclaiming August 2025 as National Emergency Management Awareness Month
End
Executive Summary:
August 2025 is National Emergency Management Awareness Month. Spearheaded by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), this month-long campaign aims to raise awareness about the emergency management profession and the vital role emergency managers play in keeping our local communities safe.
Discussion:
In Sonoma County, the Department of Emergency Management works year-round to serve and build resilience in our community by preparing for, responding to, and recovering from all kinds of emergencies. Throughout August, this campaign will highlight:
● What emergency management is.
● What emergency management does for our community.
● Why our profession matters.
● Emergency managers working at all levels and in all sectors.
● The value that emergency management brings to all communities and organizations.
Emergency management is a critical discipline that ensures communities are prepared to respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters by coordinating systems, resources, and strategies that protect lives, property, and the environment.
The Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management, established in 2019 as a standalone department following the 2017 wildfires, leads the County’s efforts to build community resilience through a comprehensive emergency management program grounded in collaboration, innovation, and public service.
The Department of Emergency Management is organized into key functional divisions including Emergency Coordination and Operations, Alert & Warning, Community Preparedness, Administration and Grants, and Hazard Mitigation and Recovery, each of which plays a vital role in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters.
Since its founding, the Department of Emergency Management has coordinated the County’s response to more than 14 locally proclaimed emergencies and 6 federally declared disasters, reflecting the increasing complexity, frequency, and scope of hazards facing Sonoma County. A Department of Emergency Management Staff Duty Officer is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to monitor for incidents and to provide immediate response to a situation impacting the county.
The Department of Emergency Management works in collaboration with public safety agencies, public health, public works, schools, nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations, the private sector, and tribal and city governments to strengthen local capabilities and serve community members before, during, and after disasters.
National Emergency Management Awareness Month, as designated by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), aims to increase awareness of the emergency management profession and encourages emergency managers to engage with their communities, share their story, and highlight the critical systems and partnerships that help keep Sonoma County safe and resilient.
This item requests that the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors does hereby proclaim August 2025 as Emergency Management Awareness Month and calls upon all community members, local jurisdictions, businesses, schools, and organizations to recognize, engage, and support the vital work of emergency management professionals across Sonoma County throughout the year.
Prior Board Actions:
None.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
N/A
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Gold Resolution.
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.