California Disaster Recovery Framework

Recognizing the increased scale and impact of natural disasters affecting California’s communities, the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) developed the California Disaster Recovery Framework. The Framework provides the institutional structure across state government to ensure coordinated delivery of state and federal disaster assistance and support to impacted communities through the Interagency Recovery Coordination program and its six Recovery Support Functions.

Since 2019, OPR has served as the State Coordinating Agency for the Community Planning and Capacity Building Recovery Support Function (CPCB-RSF). Working in partnership with the Cal OES and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), OPR assists communities affected by catastrophic wildfires and other disasters by:

  • Supporting community capacity building, knowledge sharing, and planning initiatives;
  • Identifying long term recovery solutions and leveraging resources after disasters to address the unmet needs of impacted jurisdictions through whole-community engagement;
  • Leveraging the resources, guidance and partnerships of the ICARP State Adaptation Clearinghouse and Technical Advisory Council;
  • Ensuring the state’s long term recovery efforts build proactive community resilience before disasters strike and advance the state’s climate adaptation and greenhouse gas reduction goals; and
  • Improving recovery outcomes for the community through the empowerment of local leaders and stakeholders.

The State activates CPCB-RSF in response to recent disasters. The program provides direct technical assistance to affected jurisdictions throughout their long-term recovery plan development, ensuring that efforts align with State planning requirements and integrate climate resilience.

Commission on Catastrophic Wildfire Cost and Recovery

SB 901 (Dodd, 2018) required OPR, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission and the Insurance Commissioner, to establish a Commission on Catastrophic Wildfire Cost and Recovery. The Commission examined issues related to wildfires and damage to utility infrastructure, and provided recommendations on changes to law that would ensure equitable distribution of costs among affected parties. After a five month public process throughout California, the Commission in July 2019 submitted its recommendations to the Governor and Legislature; these recommendations appear in the Commission’s Final Report.

For More Information

Sloane Viola
Sloane Viola is the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program's Council Program Manager.