I would like to add my name to the list of nominations. In my professional capacity of Emergency Manager, I have over 35 years of local government experience. My work on local hazard mitigation plans projects affecting our coastline has helped me become familiar with the role of the Coastal Commission. Currently, our City of Port Hueneme is working with local, state, and Federal stakeholders in addressing coastal erosion and sand replenishment. We also have several strategic plans that will cause us to interface with the Coastal Commission in the coming years. I believe in a regional approach to planning and caring for our coast. My local government experience has also provided me the skill set necessary for serving on this very important commission.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,

Laura D. Hernandez

City Councilmember City of Port Hueneme 250 N. Ventura Road Port Hueneme, CA 93041 (805) 986-6503 [email protected]

Laura D. Hernandez Port Hueneme City Council

Ms. Hernandez was elected to the Port Hueneme City Council in 2018 She was elected by her peers as Mayor Pro Tem in 2019 and served as Education the City’s Mayor in 2020. Ms. Laura D. Hernandez offers over 35 years ▪ California State of local government experience. As a member of the City Council, she University, Los Angeles (CSULA) Master of serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the following special Science, Public districts and organizations. Administration (MSPA) ▪ University of • Ventura County Regional Sanitation District and Chair of the Personnel California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and Finance Committee (2019-2021) Bachelor of Arts • Port Hueneme Water Agency (2019-2021) (BA), Sociology • Ventura County Association of Water Districts (Alternate) (2019-2020) ▪ Villanova University • Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (2019-2020) Project • California Association of Water Districts Alternate (2019-2020) Management Certificated • Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment (BEACON) Alternate (2019-2020) Training and Certifications • League of California Cities Public Safety Committee (2021-2022) ▪ Associate Emergency • Southern California Association of Governments Policy and Manager (AEM) Transportation Committees (2021-2022) International • Regional Defense Partnerships – 21 (RDP-21) Strategic Planning Association of Committee (2019-2021) Emergency • Point Mugu Regional Airport Authority Alternate (2021) Managers (IAEM) ▪ Homeland Security • CSUCI Site Authority Alternate (2021) Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Ms. Hernandez served 16 years as the Assistant Director for the ▪ Master Exercise Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) before Practioner retiring in 2012. In this capacity, Ms. Hernandez served as the Ventura (MEP) ▪ State Certified County Operational Area Coordinator overseeing the development Trainer in and maintenance of a comprehensive all-hazard planning program ICS/SEMS/NIMS and hazard mitigation plan. She also helped launch the Statewide Emergency Management Mutual Aid Assistance (EMMA) and served Key Expertise as President for the California Emergency Services Association from ▪ All Hazard Planning ▪ EOC Management 1999 – 2002. ▪ Hazard Mitigation Planning Over the course of her career, she has participated in over 20 disaster ▪ Project Management ▪ Strategic Planning activations of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and member of ▪ Threat Analysis the EOC Management Team. She has served in the positions of EOC ▪ Training and Facilitation Director, Deputy Director, Liaison Officer, and EOC Coordinator. Most notable responses were the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, the 1995 Bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building, the 2000 Crash of Alaska Airlines 261, and the Reagan Funeral in 2004.

1 Councilmember, City of Port Hueneme 2018-Present Mayor 2019- 2020 Port Hueneme City Council is the policy-making body of City government. The City Council is charged by law with meeting all the obligations and responsibilities of the City using its general legislative powers. The Council Members are elected, at large, to four-year staggered terms. The City Council sets fiscal and operating policy and provides strategic direction to be followed by staff.

Owner/Principal, Soteria Emergency Management Services (2009-Present) Provide emergency management consulting services to businesses, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies. Support the development and implementation of comprehensive emergency management programs including the development of Emergency Operation Plans, exercise design and implementation, continuity of operations planning, and training in the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Other specialty areas include strategic planning, gap analyses, Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and Hazard Mitigation Planning. Soteria offers professional emergency management services based on real world experience.

Adjunct Professor, California State University Channel Islands (Spring 2015 – Fall 2017) Part-time lecturer for the Martin School of Business and Economics providing undergraduate education in Management of Organizations and Management of Human Resources.

Assistant Director (2/97 to 12/12) Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Office of Emergency Service Developed a comprehensive all-hazard disaster preparedness, response and recovery program working with all levels of government and the private sector. Maintained and enhanced the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Managed and trained EOC Team members in organizational response systems including ICS, SEMS and NIMS. Chaired Regional Emergency Coordinator Council for the County, Cities, military and special districts. Served as Chair and Executive Administrator of the Ventura County Emergency Planning Council (EPC).

Professional Contributions • Executive Committee, Ventura County Organizations Active in Disaster (2013-2016) • President, Southern California Emergency Services Association (SCESA) 1999 - 2000 • President, California Emergency Services Association (CESA) 1999 – 2002 • Member, Coalition of Operational Area Coordinators, 2005 - 2012 • Member, California Emergency Services Association, 1983 – Present • Member, International Association of Emergency Managers, 1997 - Present • Member, Business Industry Council Emergency Planning and Preparedness (BICEPP), 1983 - 2019

2 Honors

• President’s Award – California Emergency Services Association (October 2013) • Crystal Award – California Emergency Services Association (December 2012) • Best Disaster Service Worker Award – Ventura County Emergency Planning Council (2012) • Honorary Member Award Southern California Emergency Services Association (2006) • Benjamin Watson Award – Highest Chapter Award Southern California Emergency Services Association (2003) • Platinum Award, Highest State Award California Emergency Services Association (2001)

Disaster Response Experience

2019 Boat Fire, County of Santa Barbara EOC 2013 , CSUCI, Camarillo, California 2009 , City of Santa Barbara EOC 2006 Shekell Fire-City of Moorpark EOC, California 2006 Day Fire-Ventura County EOC, California 2005 School -Ventura County EOC, California 2005 -Ventura County EOC, California 2005 Winter Storms and La Conchita Landslide Ventura County EOC and Field ICP California 2004 “Operation Serenade” – The Reagan Memorial Funeral Ventura County Multi-Agency Center, Thousand Oaks, California 2003 Southern California Fires- Ventura County EOC, California 2001 Olivas Fire- Ventura City EOC, Ventura, California 2000 Alaska Airlines Disaster – Ventura County EOC and Field Command Post, California 1999 Ranch Fire – Ventura County EOC, California 1998 El Nino Storms - Ventura County EOC, California 1995 Bombing of Alfred P. Murrah Building Oklahoma State Emergency Operations Center 1994 Northridge Earthquake-Santa Monica City EOC 1992 Los Angeles Civil Unrest-Santa Monica City EOC

Contact Information: [email protected] (805) 844-1720

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