Committee advances Caroline Thomas Jacobs to full Senate after questioning on PSPS, NextGen 911 and Olympics planning
June 24, 2026 | California State Senate, Senate, Legislative, California
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Caroline Thomas Jacobs, the governor’s nominee to lead the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, told the Senate Committee on Rules she will center her leadership on preparedness, stronger governance for NextGen 911, and coordination across state and local partners for upcoming large events.
In her opening, Jacobs reviewed her work as director of the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety and prior roles within Cal OES. “The reality is that the demands of emergency management have never been greater,” she said, citing recent seismic activity and climate‑driven disasters.
Lawmakers questioned Jacobs on debris clearance and recovery operations after large wildfires. Jacobs described past coordination with federal partners in large debris operations and said the state’s priority is to return people safely to their homes while learning lessons from previous events.
Committee members pressed Jacobs on public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) and utility coordination. Jacobs said rules require utilities to notify and coordinate with local governments and that Cal OES maintains communication through the state warning center. “The goal needs to be to continue to reduce [PSPS] as a tool that they use,” she said, adding that investments in mitigation have made shutoffs more targeted.
On the long‑delayed NextGen 911 implementation, Jacobs said governance and oversight are a primary focus. She told senators she has engaged the 9‑1‑1 advisory board, visited dispatch centers to hear user concerns and assigned a dedicated program director for implementation.
Members also asked about planning for major events including FIFA World Cup activities and the upcoming Olympics. Jacobs said Cal OES is on the executive steering committee for security planning, is collecting staffing and equipment needs now, and will work to coordinate state resources and out‑of‑state mutual‑aid if local capacity is insufficient.
Representatives of the California Fire Chiefs Association, counties, and 9‑1‑1 dispatch organizations spoke in support of Jacobs. Vice Chair Grove moved Jacobs’ nomination to the full Senate; the committee recorded its vote and left the roll open for absent members to add on before finalizing a unanimous committee approval.
In her opening, Jacobs reviewed her work as director of the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety and prior roles within Cal OES. “The reality is that the demands of emergency management have never been greater,” she said, citing recent seismic activity and climate‑driven disasters.
Lawmakers questioned Jacobs on debris clearance and recovery operations after large wildfires. Jacobs described past coordination with federal partners in large debris operations and said the state’s priority is to return people safely to their homes while learning lessons from previous events.
Committee members pressed Jacobs on public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) and utility coordination. Jacobs said rules require utilities to notify and coordinate with local governments and that Cal OES maintains communication through the state warning center. “The goal needs to be to continue to reduce [PSPS] as a tool that they use,” she said, adding that investments in mitigation have made shutoffs more targeted.
On the long‑delayed NextGen 911 implementation, Jacobs said governance and oversight are a primary focus. She told senators she has engaged the 9‑1‑1 advisory board, visited dispatch centers to hear user concerns and assigned a dedicated program director for implementation.
Members also asked about planning for major events including FIFA World Cup activities and the upcoming Olympics. Jacobs said Cal OES is on the executive steering committee for security planning, is collecting staffing and equipment needs now, and will work to coordinate state resources and out‑of‑state mutual‑aid if local capacity is insufficient.
Representatives of the California Fire Chiefs Association, counties, and 9‑1‑1 dispatch organizations spoke in support of Jacobs. Vice Chair Grove moved Jacobs’ nomination to the full Senate; the committee recorded its vote and left the roll open for absent members to add on before finalizing a unanimous committee approval.
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