Governor Newsom Signs AB 2645 Ensuring Community Resilience Centers are Equipped for Emergencies, Including Extreme Heat Events

(Sacramento, CA) – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2645, authored by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D – Pomona), into law. This legislation will require counties to ensure community resilience centers are equipped to function as community-wide assets during disasters, including extreme heat events. Counties will also be required to integrate these centers into their local emergency plans, proving to be even more of a necessity with the statewide heatwave we are currently facing.

“When I was appointed Chair of the Emergency Management Committee, I found the importance of thinking ahead as to how we can prepare for reoccurring disasters and also what types of emergencies we may begin to face with more regularity. This forward-thinking is what generated the idea to ensure community resilience centers are prepared for emergencies, especially extreme heat events,” stated Assemblymember Rodriguez.

The California Independent System Operator (ISO) has issued a statewide Flex Alert for seven consecutive days due to the increasing temperatures, today included. Californians are asked to reduce energy usage between certain hours to prevent power outages or blackouts from a strained electrical grid. Having community resilience centers ready to serve during an extreme heat event will help residents to abide by the extended Flex Alerts while remaining cool at these centers.  

Community resilience centers have proven to save lives during various disasters, especially extreme heat events. The state has been investing in these centers over the past year, and AB 2645 will maximize these investments while working to prevent unnecessary loss of life during any kind of emergency.

“I am grateful that my colleagues in the Legislature and Governor Newsom have recognized my vision of preparing community resilience centers for disasters, including extreme heat events. The record heat we are currently experiencing only solidifies the need to protect all Californians during these events and all other emergencies,” added Assemblymember Rodriguez.

Assemblymember Rodriguez (Twitter) represents the 53rd Assembly District which includes the cities of Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona, and Upland. He is Chair of the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management.