About CSERN.
The California County Superintendents have created this initiative to turn the challenges faced by California’s local educational agencies (LEAs) into valuable assets at every stage of emergency management, strengthening California's Disaster Management framework and highlighting schools as vital community lifelines and key infrastructure.
Objectives.
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To integrate schools into the Emergency Management Framework
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To place a heavy emphasis on preparedness and mitigation.
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To provide trained, qualified, deployable assets during response and recover.
Latest Resource.
California schools are essential community institutions. During emergencies, they must protect students and staff, maintain essential services when possible, communicate with families, and coordinate with local emergency management partners.
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El Niño is here and strengthening. As of October 2026, federal forecasters give a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter and a 75% chance that it reaches historic strength, according to the Governor’s Office. Governor Newsom has already proclaimed a state of emergency. Coastal effects have already begun: the Governor’s Office reports that Kelvin waves have raised sea levels and that El Niño-fueled Pacific storms have sent strong waves into the California coast.
El Niño does not guarantee a wet winter, a specific amount of rainfall, or a particular disaster in any community. It does raise the likelihood of intense, repeated storms. That is a timely reason for LEAs to review emergency plans, address known vulnerabilities, and prepare for a range of impacts now, before the major anticipated impacts in January 2027.
Enhance
Strengthen the readiness of LEAs to manage and respond to disasters effectively through comprehensive planning, training, and resource management.
Streamline
Facilitate swift and coordinated responses during disasters through county offices of education which will foster relationships between schools, community organizations and government agencies
Support
Assist schools in recovering from disasters by providing resources and guidance to ensure continuity of education and the well-being of the school community, as well as navigating recovery grants.
CSERN Leadership Council.
Jake Wolf, California Government Operations Agency
Richard Cepeda (Los Angeles, Region 11)
Tammy Bennett Nguyen (Mono, Region 10)
Todd Finnell (Imperial, Region 9)
John Mendiburu (Kern, Region 8)
Jeff Aranguena (Mariposa, Region 7)
Zack Abernathy (Tuolumne, Region 6)
Deneen Guss (Monterey, Region 5)
Josh Schultz (Napa, Region 4)
Rob Gregor (Yuba, Region 3)
Fabio Robles (Trinity, Region 2)
Jeff Harris (Del Norte, Region 1)
Staff Contact.
Kindra Britt
Director
Strategy & Communications
The COE Emergency Recovery Guide seeks to inform county offices of education (COEs) as they help school districts prepare for recovery after a large-scale multiagency, multijurisdictional emergency. This guide is not an emergency response manual; rather, it is a guide for COE leaders to foster districts’ preparation before and recovery after a catastrophic event.
These resources are designed to help K-12 technology departments create and implement a working Cyber Incident Response Plan (CIRP), a Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP), and a Business Continuity Plan (BCP).
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To get started, establish a secure cloud storage solution that belongs to your organization (not an individual user), then grant the appropriate access to the members of your disaster recovery team.
Next, copy each of the documents into the shared resource, then begin working with your team to customize each template. Finally, keep your CIRP, DRP, and BCP up-to-date so they are ready when a disaster strikes. Be sure to keep a printed copy of each plan.
Crisis Response Resources.
Updated 10/22/2026
State Resources.
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COE-Specific Resources.
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Partner Resources.
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CDE Guidance on Air Quality for Schools During Wildfire Smoke Days
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CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR SCHOOLS: A Guide for Districts and Sites
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Cal Fire Incidents.
Click the specific incident and you will receive a full report, updated frequently when active.
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FEMA Declarations.
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This is where you can see FEMA declarations for California. If you are in a county that has a “DR” designation with category E work available, you may use FEMA funds to rebuild schools.
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