The principal objective of the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) is to reduce vulnerability to hazards and crimes through emergency management and criminal justice to ensure a safe and resilient California. Assembly Bill 38 (Chapter 372, Statutes of 2008) created the Cal EMA as an independent entity reporting directly to the Governor and vested the Cal EMA with the duties, powers, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdiction previously held within the Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the Office of Homeland Security (OHS).

Cal EMA coordinates emergency activities to save lives and reduce property losses during disasters and to expedite recovery from effects of disasters. On a day-to-day basis, the Cal EMA provides leadership, assistance, and support to state and local agencies in planning and preparing for the most effective use of federal, state, local, and private sector resources in emergencies. This emergency planning is based upon a system of mutual aid in which a jurisdiction relies first on its own resources, and then requests assistance from its neighbors. The Cal EMA's plans and programs are coordinated with those of the federal government, other states, and state and local agencies within California.

During an emergency, the Cal EMA functions as the Governor's immediate staff to coordinate the state's responsibilities under the Emergency Services Act and applicable federal statues. It also acts as the conduit for federal assistance through natural disaster grants and federal agency support. Additionally, the Cal EMA is responsible for the development and coordination of a comprehensive state strategy related to all hazards that includes prevention, preparedness, and response and recovery.

Further, the Cal EMA improves the criminal justice system in California by providing financial and technical assistance to local governments, state agencies and the private sector for public safety and victim services.

Since department programs drive the need for infrastructure investment, each department has a related capital outlay program to support this need. For the specifics on the California Emergency Management Agency's Capital Outlay Program, see "Infrastructure Overview."