Office of Emergency Services Archives

Emergency drills involving multiple city and county agencies are held at least once a year. Photo by John Chadwell.

County prepares for disasters, from earthquakes to power grid failure

Published 09/07/2021
BenitoLink Reporter, John Chadwell

The San Benito County’s Office of Emergency Services has plans for most emergencies, but says residents also need to have plans to survive the initial days or weeks following a disaster.

County issues second call for free facemasks for businesses

Published 05/29/2020
BenitoLink Staff

Meant to help businesses get restarted by providing free masks for their employees.

OES Manager Kevin O'Neill stands with Congressman Jimmy Panetta surveying the flooding out at Lovers Lane in 2017. Photo by John Chadwell.

Manager Kevin O’Neill leaves emergency services post

Published 09/27/2019
BenitoLink Reporter, Nicholas Preciado

He recalls the community’s ‘resiliency and compassion’ during Lovers Lane flooding in 2017.

Photo provided by the Office of Emergency Services.

Pull to the right for sirens and lights

Published 09/18/2019
BenitoLink Staff

Drivers are not reacting safely when emergency vehicles approach, according to the Office of Emergency Services.

Local fire groups to hold town hall on wildfire preparation

Published 04/02/2019
BenitoLink Reporter, Blaire Strohn

April 4 session covers prevention and response in hazard zones of San Benito County.

OES Manager Kevin O'Neill said the normally three-month reimbursement time frame is longer because of fires across California. Photos by John Chadwell.

FEMA slow in reimbursing for flood damages partially because of fires

Published 08/14/2018
John Chadwell

Kevin O’Neill, manager of Office of Emergency Services, reported the county has eight flood-related projects with a cost of $1.8 million. So far FEMA has reimbursed only $107,500.

The latest 20 additions to the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Community Emergency Response Team Graduates 20

Published 04/29/2018
BenitoLink Staff

The San Benito County Office of Emergency Services announced this week 20 new graduates with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Kevin O'Neill said report may have had valid recommendations, but there was no data to back it up. Photo by John Chadwell.

Consulting company terminates its own consultant after he delivers flawed report to fire committee

Published 01/25/2018
John Chadwell

Because of complacency within its own ranks, Emergency Services Consulting Int. fires one of its contractors along with his boss, after delivering report to fire committee. New report due in February.

Police / Fire

Hollister firefighters on front line battling Tubbs fire in Napa County

Published 10/11/2017
John Chadwell

Hollister fire department part of California Office of Emergency Services task force may be fighting fires in Sonoma and Napa counties for up to 21 days.

Eight months after raging waters uprooted the entire community of Lovers Lane, little has been done to repair damages. Photos by John Chadwell.

Business / Economy

Sups seek to avert liability in repairing levees, reform defunct property-owner supported water district

Published 09/14/2017
John Chadwell

Trying to beat the coming rainy season, county supervisors push forward repairs of levees, while moving to shift cost burden to landowners by restarting Pacheco Storm Water District.