8940 Military Department
Program Descriptions

35 - MILITARY SUPPORT TO CIVIL AUTHORITY

The Military Support to Civil Authority Program supports the emergency needs of civil authority when called to duty by the Governor. To assure a timely and effective response of Military Department resources, policies and procedures governing their use are continuously reviewed and updated. Liaison and coordination is maintained with federal, state, and local agencies so that mutual understanding and unity of purpose is assured during an emergency. The objectives of this program are to plan and prepare for the deployment of Military Department personnel and equipment to support civil authority when called to state service by the Governor due to domestic emergency or natural disaster and to provide the state, county, city, and other public agencies with the coordination necessary to ensure a timely, organized response.

Grant funding from the Office of Emergency Services (OES) supports the California National Guard participation in the OES Training and Exercise program for state and local first responders involving "All Hazard" incidents. This program is a critical aspect of the overall State Homeland Security Strategy, and the state partnership with the United States Department of Homeland Security, Department of Preparedness, Response and Recovery.

The Temporary Emergency Shelter Program provides armories statewide for local officials to provide emergency shelter programs for homeless persons during severe weather conditions.