Title
Adoption of Resolution Adopting an Agreement for Participation in the Alameda County Operational Area Emergency Management Organization. (Fire)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Adam W. Politzer, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) is required to adopt the updated Alameda County Operational Area Emergency Management Organization Agreement to remain compliant with the State of California’s Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). SEMS provides a structured framework for organizing and coordinating emergency response efforts across local, county, and state agencies. The Operational Area, which includes Alameda County and all its political subdivisions, ensures a unified and efficient approach to disaster preparedness and response.
The new 10-year agreement, recently adopted by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on January 27, 2026, replaces the previous agreement that expired on December 31, 2025. This agreement formalizes interagency coordination, mutual aid resource sharing, and cooperative training without imposing monetary obligations on participating jurisdictions. It establishes clear policies and procedures guided by SEMS regulations and designates the Sheriff/Director of Emergency Services as the Operational Area Coordinator to represent all jurisdictions during emergencies. Continued participation by the City is essential to maintain compliance, strengthen regional collaboration, and ensure effective use of resources in safeguarding life, property, and the environment during disasters.
BACKGROUND
The State of California uses Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) as a method of organizing and coordinating a systematic response to large scale emergencies and disasters. The City adopted a similar agreement to participate in the Alameda County Operational Area Emergency Management Organization in 2005 just after the State enacted legislation that established SEMS.
An important component of SEMS is the Operational Area, defined as:
An intermediate level of the state emergency services organization consisting of a County and all political subdivisions within the county area [California Government Code, § 8559 (b)].
This 10-year agreement (Exhibit 1) has been in place since 1995 and is renewed every ten (10) years. The current agreement was adopted by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on January 27, 2026, replacing the previous agreement which expired on December 31, 2025. The City Council must adopt the agreement to be compliant with SEMS and be part of the Alameda County Area Emergency Management Organization.
DISCUSSION
The preservation of life, property and the environment is the responsibility of local, state and federal government agencies. Alameda County, in cooperation with the cities of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, Union City, special districts and other public benefit non-profit corporations, has decided to enter into an agreement for the purpose of ensuring a unified and coordinated effort between state and local government agencies to facilitate mutual aid and to ensure the effective and efficient use of regional and local resources in the event of a catastrophe.
The Alameda County Operational Area is an intermediate level of the state emergency services organization, consisting of a county and all political subdivisions within the County area.
The agreement incorporates and coordinates available facilities and personnel of the County into an efficient and effective organization by establishing tasks, specific policies and general procedures using the Standardized Emergency Management System. This will provide for the most effective and economical allocation of resources. This agreement provides a foundation for that relationship and addresses key issues such as communications, equipment use, medical services, budgetary transactions and resources related to environmental, ecological, recreational and economic issues.
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors recently adopted a new Agreement consisting of substantially the same elements as the previous one. The key components of the Agreement are as follows:
• A partnership for exchanging disaster intelligence, mutual aid resources, and resource requests in emergencies;
• Allows for cooperative training and exercises;
• No monetary compensation is required for participants to be members of the organization;
• The State’s SEMS regulations and guidelines guide the policies and procedures of the organization; and
• The Sheriff/Director of Emergency Services is the Operational Area Coordinator responsible for assuring the representation of all affected jurisdictions in decision-making before, during, and after a disaster occurs.
Interagency coordination is crucial to the successful response to disasters. The City’s continued participation in the Operational Area Emergency Management Organization is a key component in accomplishing that goal.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve the resolution to adopt the Alameda County Operational Area Emergency Management Organization Agreement to ensure compliance with the State’s Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), maintain the City’s active role in regional disaster coordination, and secure access to mutual aid resources, training, and shared intelligence.
• Alternatively, the City could choose not to adopt the agreement, which would place the City out of compliance with SEMS, jeopardize participation in coordinated disaster response efforts, limit access to mutual aid resources, and potentially affect eligibility for state and federal disaster reimbursement funding. This approach could also lead to delayed response times, inefficient resource allocation, and increased risk to life, property, and the environment during emergencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of adopting the attached resolution.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The proposed resolution is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution adopting an agreement for participation in the Alameda County Operational Area Emergency Management Organization.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas Luby, Fire Chief
By,
Anne Iturraran, Fire Administrative Services Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Agreement for Participation in the Alameda County Operational Area Emergency Management Organization