By Ken Striplin
Whether it’s Red Flag Warnings, excessive heat alerts or Santa Ana winds, these conditions immediately bring wildfires to mind. Throughout the past decade, we have seen thousands of acres in our community burn due to wildfires, leaving residents keenly aware of how quickly an emergency can unfold. Public safety has always been at the heart of our City’s mission, and as Santa Clarita continues to grow, we remain committed to investing in tools and strategies that help our team and first responders act fast to keep residents safe. This fall, we’ll take another major step forward with the arrival of the City’s new Emergency Mobile Command Unit.
During a large-scale emergency, such as a wildfire, flooding, earthquake or critical public safety threat, the City activates an Emergency Operations Center, or EOC. This is the central command room where City staff, the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department come together to track conditions, share information and coordinate every aspect of the response. From this hub, they make decisions, direct resources and keep the community informed.
Now, imagine taking that entire command center and putting it on wheels. That’s exactly what the new Mobile Command Unit will do. Funded in part by $1.5 million in state-allocated funding through coordination with Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, the vehicle is designed to replicate the City’s EOC in a mobile format. Inside are seven workstations, a large conference area, advanced radio communications and teleconferencing equipment – everything needed to manage an emergency in real time, right where it’s happening.
This unit was a key goal in our five-year strategic plan, Santa Clarita 2025, and aligns with the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. By bringing the Emergency Operations Center to the heart of a crisis, we can strengthen coordination between agencies and help prioritize the safety of our community. This tool will allow us to bring briefings and operational updates on site, ensuring a faster, more efficient response.
The benefits of this vehicle don’t stop at emergency situations. The Mobile Command Unit will also serve as an engagement tool. During community events, residents will be able to step inside, learn about emergency preparedness and see firsthand how the City is planning ahead to protect Santa Clarita.
Be sure to follow the City’s social media accounts or visit SantaClarita.gov to see the new Mobile Command Unit in action.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.gov.
