Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)

SEMS Overview

The Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) is a statewide California system used by police officers, firefighters and other first responders in disaster events.  The main purpose of the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) is to aid with communication and response by providing a common communication and management system during a disaster.

As a result of the 1991 East Hills Fire in Oakland, California, Senate Bill 1841 was introduced in the State legislature to establish the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). The regulations governing SEMS became effective September 2, 1994.   The intent of this law was to improve the coordination of state and local emergency first responders in California.  The law is found in Section 8607 of the State of California Government Code.

The law stipulates that all State agencies must use the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) in responding to emergencies involving multiple jurisdictions or multiple agencies.  Local governments must use SEMS in responding to emergencies involving multiple jurisdictions or multiple agencies to be eligible for state funding for response-related personnel costs.

The basic framework of the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) incorporates the use of the Incident Command System (ICS).  SEMS is designed to be flexible and adaptable to varied emergencies and to meet the emergency management needs of all responders.  SEMS is a management system and provides the organizational framework acting as an umbrella under which all response agencies may function in an integrated fashion.

STANDARDIZED EMERGENCY MANAGMENT SYSTEM – FIVE LEVELS

The Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) organizes a five-level emergency response, activated as needed, to provide an effective response to multi-agency or multi-jurisdiction emergencies.  SEMS allows the response to expand or contract as the incident requires.  Each level uses the same Incident Command System (ICS). 

• Field Level:  Commands emergency response personnel and resources to carry out tactical decisions and activities in direct response to an incident or threat.
   

• Local Level:  Manages and coordinates the overall emergency response and recovery activities within their jurisdiction.
   

• Operational Area Level:  Manages and coordinates information, resources and priorities among local governments and special districts within the operational area and serves as the coordination and communication link between the local governmental level and the regional level.  NOTE: An operational area is the geographical boundaries of a county.
   

• Regional Level:  Manages and coordinates information and resources among operational areas within the mutual aid region and between operational areas and the state level.  This level, along with the state level, coordinates overall state agency support for emergency response activities.
   

• State Level:  Manages state resources in response to the emergency needs of the other levels, manages and coordinates mutual aid among the mutual aid regions and between the regional level and state level. It also serves as the coordination and communication link with the federal disaster response system.