The City of El Centro coordinates overall city agency response to major disasters in support of local government. The office is responsible for assuring the city’s readiness to respond to and recover from natural, manmade, and war-caused emergencies, and for assisting local governments in their emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts.

During major emergencies, the Office of Emergency Services (OES) may call upon all state agencies to help provide support. Due to their specialized capabilities and expertise, the California National Guard, Highway Patrol, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Conservation Corps, Department of Social Services, Department of Health Services and the Department of Transportation are the agencies most often asked to respond and assist in emergency response activities.

The Office of Emergency Services is also responsible for developing a functional City Disaster Plan and maintains an operational Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Emergency Services provides training programs to city management and staff, organizes citizen preparedness programs, and conducts drills and exercises to help ensure the functionality of the Disaster Plan.