Emergency Management Program (EMP)
The California State Water Resources Control Board’s Emergency Management Program (EMP) was established in 2019 to protect public health and water quality by providing emergency management (including preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation) for emergencies that may impact water quality and/or water supply.
The Emergency Management Program does not remove materials, clean up spills, or act as a first responder for environmental emergencies.
If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911!
To report an environmental complaint, please see CalEPA Environmental Complaint System
Program Roles
EMP is the first point of contact for the Water Boards for functions related to emergency management. Typically, EMP is involved in emergency response and recovery activities including but not limited to wildfires, earthquakes, flooding, debris flows and slides, and hazardous materials releases. The Emergency Management Program:
- Provides support to partner agencies, including the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), and other Water Boards staff who are responding to emergencies by facilitating inter- and intra-agency communication and coordination.
- Provides 24-hour emergency response coordination and consultation for emergencies that impact water quality or water supply.
- Assesses any impacts to the water sector that may occur during or after an emergency event, including impacts to surface water and groundwater, drinking water and wastewater services, or environmental testing laboratories that provide analysis of water quality samples.
Other Resource Links
Stay informed
Email Subscription List
Subscribe to the Emergency Management Program (EMP) email list to receive notifications and the latest updates.
Check your email account for a confirmation email to complete your subscription.
Contact Us
For more program information, please contact:
Office of Research Planning and Performance
Emergency Management Program
1001 I Street, 13th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
EMP@Waterboards.ca.gov
EMP Manager, Sarah Ries
916.809.2558
