Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez Appointed to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission

(Sacramento, CA) – Yesterday, Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D – Pomona) was appointed to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. Assemblymember Rodriguez also serves as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and as Chair of the Select Committee on Local Public Safety and Emergency Management. This new appointment coincides with these existing chairmanships and will allow him to continue working to better protect and prepare Californians for a major earthquake.  

“I want to sincerely thank Speaker Anthony Rendon for putting his trust in me to serve the people of California in this new role as a member of the SCC. As a career first responder, seismic safety and earthquake preparedness have always been a priority of mine, and it is rewarding those priorities are now recognized through this appointment,” stated Assemblymember Rodriguez.

The Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (SCC) was established in 1975 to assist with the creation of cohesive earthquake policies. The SCC works with the private sector and federal, state, and local agencies to support California’s mitigation, response, and recovery efforts.

Assemblymember Rodriguez has been working tirelessly in the Legislature to prepare California for the next major earthquake that will inevitably hit the state while also working to prevent major destruction. Last year, he obtained $250 million in the 2023-24 State Budget to establish and implement the Seismic Retrofitting Program for Soft Story Multifamily Homes. As we are facing a deficit this year, the program has been proposed to be cut. However, Assemblymember Rodriguez has introduced AB 1505 to ensure the program is funded this year so we can protect our most vulnerable Californians from disaster.

As a first responder for over 30 years, Assemblymember Rodriguez has experience responding to the disaster following a major earthquake as well as experience as a policy maker working to increase seismic safety. This unique set of experiences has allowed him the opportunity to serve as a champion for seismic safety in the Legislature and will allow him to do the same in this new capacity.

“Reflecting on the destruction that followed major earthquakes I responded to during my career as an EMT, I see the loss of life and infrastructure. These experiences have guided me during my time in the Assembly and as Chair of the Emergency Management Committee to learn from our past mistakes and to create public policy to prevent repeating these mistakes. I look forward to continuing to do so in this new role, and again thank Speaker Rendon for providing me with this opportunity,” 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.