Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), as described by California Government Code 8607(a), for managing response to multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional emergencies in California. SEMS, adopted by the state of California in 1995, incorporates the use of the:

  • Incident Command System (ICS) which facilitates the flow of information and coordination between responding agencies. It provides an organizational structure capable of responding to various levels of emergencies ranging in complexity. It also provides the flexibility needed to respond to an incident as it escalates in severity. After each major emergency, the plan calls for an analysis of actions taken during the emergency incident and suggestions for corrective actions, if any.

  • National Incident Management System (NIMS), as prescribed by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 - Management of Domestic Incidents. NIMS establishes a uniform set of processes and procedures that emergency responders at all levels of government will use to conduct response operations. It also utilizes the Incident Command System, as described above, to coordinate response activities on a national level.

  • Master Mutual Aid Agreement (MMAA), all of the resources and facilities of the State, its various departments and agencies, and all its political subdivisions, municipal corporations, and other public agencies be made available voluntarily aid and assist each other, including, but not limited to, fire, police, medical and health, communication, and transportation services and facilities.