April 6, 2026
What's in the newsletter:
Spring Into Safety: Connecting Community and SafetySpring brings a shift in risk and readiness for San Joaquin County. With changing weather patterns and the onset of wildfire season, this is a critical period for clear, coordinated communication and proactive preparedness. Communicators play a central role in keeping our community informed and safe. Whether through supporting activations, participating in trainings, or engaging directly with the public, your efforts ensure information is accurate, timely, and actionable. Our EOC Support Teams continue to be essential in maintaining coordination, sharing updates, and supporting a unified response. Every call, message, and outreach effort strengthens the resilience of our operational area. This quarter, we are highlighting key accomplishments, sharing important updates, and providing opportunities to stay engaged, enhance collaboration, and build readiness across our community. Announcements
April Digital Toolkit
Digital toolkits are now available in both English and Spanish on SJReady.org to help you share timely, consistent, and ready to use preparedness messaging with your teams and the community. We are continuing to enhance our message repository to better support your communication needs. If you have a messaging need including translations or would like to submit ideas and/or improvements, please send them to kxiong@sjgov.org. Read more. 
Effective communication is critical during emergencies, and the Joint Information System (JIS) plays a key role in ensuring that information shared with the public is accurate, timely, and consistent. By bringing together Public Information Officers and communication staff from multiple agencies, the JIS helps streamline messaging and reduce confusion during incidents. Read more. The JIS is designed to support coordination before, during, and after emergencies. Through regular collaboration, participating agencies align on messaging priorities, share verified updates, and identify potential gaps in public information. This proactive approach helps build trust with the communities we serve while ensuring that critical information reaches diverse audiences. When to ReportJIS activation may occur during incidents that require coordinated, multi agency communication or when there is a need for consistent public messaging across jurisdictions. Public Information Officers may be asked to report when:
When notified, staff should be prepared to report either virtually or in person, depending on the needs of the incident. Reporting instructions, including location, schedule, and communication channels, will be provided at the time of activation. Maintaining readiness and flexibility helps ensure a smooth and effective response. Ongoing training and exercises are also an important part of maintaining an effective JIS. These efforts strengthen relationships across agencies, clarify roles and responsibilities, and improve readiness for real world events. As emergencies continue to evolve, so too does the need for adaptable and inclusive communication strategies. By participating in the Joint Information System, agencies contribute to a more coordinated and resilient approach to public information. Together, we can ensure that our communities receive the reliable information they need to make informed decisions and stay safe. San Joaquin County GIS Users Group: Strengthening Collaboration and Advancing Capability
The County's GIS Users Group meets monthly to share best practices, exchange lessons learned, and highlight innovative approaches to using GIS in real world operations. Participants will have the chance to learn from one another’s experiences, whether it is improving data accuracy, streamlining workflows, or enhancing map products used in the EOC and in the field. These peer to peer discussions are essential for building consistency and efficiency across systems and teams. This meeting is designed as an opportunity to share best practices, exchange lessons learned, and highlight innovative approaches to using GIS in real world operations. Participants will have the chance to learn from one another’s experiences, whether it is improving data accuracy, streamlining workflows, or enhancing map products used in the EOC and in the field. These peer to peer discussions are essential for building consistency and efficiency across systems and teams. In addition to knowledge sharing, the session will explore emerging tools and the newest technology shaping the GIS landscape. From advancements in real time data integration to improved visualization platforms, staying current ensures that teams can continue to deliver timely, accurate, and actionable information during critical incidents. For stakeholders, the value of this group extends beyond technical development. A more connected and capable GIS network directly enhances situational awareness, strengthens coordination, and supports faster, more effective response efforts across the county. All GIS users are encouraged to participate, contribute, and be part of advancing this capability. Breaking Barriers on the Airwaves: Blind Amateur Network Group in Action
The Blind Amateur Network Operators Group BANG is opening the door to connection in a powerful and meaningful way, creating opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to build technical skills, confidence, and community through amateur radio. Rooted in accessibility and peer support, the group offers hands on guidance and mentorship, helping participants learn how to operate radios, navigate equipment, and engage with local networks in a comfortable and supportive environment. What makes BANG especially impactful is its focus on learning by doing. Participants are not only introduced to the basics of radio communication, but are also encouraged to actively engage, ask questions, and build confidence at their own pace. This approach helps make the technology more approachable while fostering independence and a strong sense of belonging. Participants are encouraged to tune in to the weekly Friday night net at 8 PM. These regular check ins provide a welcoming space to practice, connect with fellow operators, and become more familiar with on air communication. Over time, these conversations help build both technical proficiency and lasting relationships within the community. Through efforts like these, the Blind Amateur Network Operators Group continues to advance inclusion, strengthen critical communication skills, and create meaningful connections. Their work highlights the power of accessible technology and community driven support, bringing people together, amplifying voices, and building resilience one transmission at a time. TrainingsJoint Information Centers Concepts (JICC) Public Information Officer WorkshopThe Sheriff's Office is hosting a Public Information Officer Workshop at San Joaquin County Jail and Sheriff's Department on Tuesday, August 8, 2026. Register today! Read more. Conferences211 Disaster Ready and Resilient National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) 49th Annual Communications School California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) Annual Conference 2026 Multilingual Alerting Summit (VIRTUAL)  MeetingsLanguage and Accessibility in Alert and Warning Workgroup (VIRTUAL) |
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