About Us
The Center for Preparedness and Response (CPR) provides expertise, leadership, infrastructure, and support for emergency planning, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts for all public health emergencies and disasters, including natural/manmade disasters, acts of terrorism, infectious diseases, and other public health incidents or emergencies. Formally known as the Emergency Preparedness Office, CPR was restructured and renamed in 2023 to better support the Center's expanding emergency management role.
Mission
To advance the health and resilience of California’s diverse communities by coordinating public health emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
Vision
A prepared, informed, and resilient California that can respond to and recover from all public health emergencies and disasters.
Values
Shared Responsibility
We value teamwork and collaboration with others to achieve our shared goals.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
We are committed to placing equity, diversity, and inclusion practices at the forefront of our daily work. We are responsive to the diverse realities, views, and needs of communities.
Respect
We care and serve with integrity, humility, kindness, and empathy, believing that all persons have wisdom and gifts to be recognized.
Innovation and Flexibility
We are committed to continuous learning and growth and are creative and adaptable in a rapidly changing environment.
Quality
We are committed to excellence in all aspects of our work, and we maintain high quality service through informed practice and continuous improvement.
Our Key Activities
- Distribute and manage federal and state funds to support public health emergency preparedness and response activities at the state & local levels.
- Disperse public health alerts and other critical communications via the California Health Alert Network (CAHAN).
- Maintain and manage the Medical Health Coordination Center (MHCC) and the 24/7 Duty Officer program. *All CPR staff may serve on an Incident Response Team (IRT) and may be activated during public health emergencies within the MHCC.
- Collaborate with local health jurisdictions and other partners on statewide emergency planning and exercise efforts.
- Coordinate planning, management, and distribution of medical countermeasures in California including through the Strategic National Stockpile.
- Collect and analyze public health threat intelligence.
- Organize, facilitate, and/or participate in emergency preparedness and response trainings.
- Liaise between federal, state, and local government jurisdictions and health care providers during emergencies.
- Support medical care & public health in planning/responding to medical surges.
Our Center
Business Operations Branch (BOB)
BOB manages the Center's steady state business support operations including grants, budgets, contracts management, administrative policy development and implementation, human resources support, as well as supporting local subrecipients with their preparedness goals.
Emergency Funding Coordination Branch (EFCB)
EFCB manages general/special fund appropriations and federal fund grants that are received due to an emergency. EFCB also assists with grant activity coordination and emergency expenditure tracking during activation.
Planning, Recovery, and Evaluation Branch (PREB)
PREB focuses on emergency planning and preparedness for natural and human-focused disasters requiring public health involvement. PREB also works on post-incident recovery and evaluation of CPR's response efforts.
Program and Response Branch (PRB)
PRB houses the Medical Health Coordination Center (MHCC) and the Incident Response Team (IRT), the Intel hub, and the Receiving, Staging, and Storing Warehouse. They coordinate with state, regional, and local operations centers during emergencies.
Strategic Planning, Policy, and Training Section (SPPTS)
SPPTS supports CPR by coordinating a range of activities aimed at strengthening program alignment. This includes strategic planning, training and development, legislative response, and managing special projects. SPPTS also plays a vital role in program and project evaluation, developing performance metrics, updating websites and resources, and promoting health equity and accessibility. Additionally, SPPTS conducts needs assessments and facilitates workgroups to ensure that CPR initiatives are comprehensive and responsive to emerging challenges.