Caltrans Emergency Services (CES)
Prakash Sah, Deputy Division Chief
CES supports the department and communities for a resilient transportation network by serving the public through effective collaboration in preparing for, protecting against, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the impacts of all-natural and man-made disasters and emergencies. This subdivision is made up of five offices: Planning and Response, Recovery and Operations, Radio Communications, Support and Disaster Reimbursement, and Natural Resource Management.
Mission: Preparing today for tomorrow’s response
Vision: A 24/7/365 collaborative environment for all-hazard, multi-modal, emergency resiliency
Office of Planning and Response (OPR)
Derek Kantar, Office Chief
The Caltrans Office of Planning and Response (OPR) provides an all-hazard and multi-modal approach to prepare Caltrans for responding to emergency incidents. During an emergency, they operate the Caltrans Department Operations Center (DOC) and provide the department wide internal and external coordination and collaboration necessary for an effective response. They also update and prepare the primary emergency plans that support Department activities during emergencies.
Office of Radio Communications (ORC)
Ferdinand Milanes, Office Chief
The Caltrans office of Radio Communications (ORC) provides effective and reliable communications systems for the safety of Caltrans’ field staff, the traveling public and the preservation of the state highway system. The ORC provides planning, engineering and technical support for the Department’s various communications systems, including: 2-Way Land Mobile Radio; Satellite; Microwave Radio; Cellular; Fiber Optic; Amateur Radio (HAM).
Office of Recovery and Operations (ORO)
Shawn T. Hart, Acting Office Chief
The Caltrans Office of Recovery and Operations (ORO) provides the overarching structure, strategy, and resources necessary to coordinate the work of field operations and recovery mechanisms within the Department during and after disaster strikes. ORO coordinates and reports out on the operations and logistics, manages damage information, alerts to management, and collaborates with our internal and external partners to initiate emergency declarations and following administration of disaster assistance.
Office of Support and Disaster Reimbursement (OSDR)
Corey Greenhaw, Office Chief
The OSDR is responsible for Caltrans’ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) federal reimbursements. Our staff works with Districts to collect, review, organize, and submit documents required for federal reimbursement under the FEMA grant programs. We also provide technical support to districts regarding program eligibility and reimbursement requirements. OSDR staff responds to questions and requests for information from FEMA and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, as well as tracks federal funds received.
In times of crises, OSDR aids in emergency response and recovery activities by providing administrative guidance, timekeeping support, staff tracking, and staff sourcing. The OSDR ensures that Divisions resources are utilized in a consistent manner with policy direction and within budget by offering resource management tools, to ensure critical office responsibilities are met.
Office of Natural Resource Management (ONRM)
Lisa Worthington, Office Chief
The Caltrans Vegetation Management Program (HQ and District positions) is a full-time program dedicated to natural resource management. Caltrans is a responsible public landowner integrated at the watershed and regional scale with other local, state, and federal agencies combining strategic priorities to manage natural vegetation to support resilient natural resources, to prevent damage to roads, interference with visibility, and maintain clearance along emergency evacuation routes. Additional critical program responsibilities include overseeing training, policy and guidance for hundreds of special Field Crews (Landscape with Irrigation, Trees, naturally-occurring Vegetation and use of Pesticides to manage noxious and invasive weeds and plants); leading GIS analysis, mapping and online applications for the Division of Maintenance, leading Environmental Stewardship and CEQA/NEPA compliance for the Division of Maintenance; and overseeing maintenance of over 600 public facilities, including Safety Roadside Rest Areas, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facilities, Park and Ride Lots, Vista Points and Agricultural Inspection Stations.
Accountability Dashboards:
• Caltrans HQ Vegetation Management Program (2025-2030) - 5 Year Planning Data
• Caltrans Vegetation Management Program - Roadside & Landscape and Tree Treatments (Field Crews)
• Caltrans on Governor’s Interagency Treatment Dashboard
• PRC 4137 Caltrans Fuel Reduction Service Contracts - Environmental Compliance