Rep. Panetta Secures Over $1 Million for San Miguel Emergency Operations Center

September 30, 2026 Press Release Image Rep. Panetta highlights critical federal funding to coordinate emergency response and keep San Miguel residents safe. To watch his remarks, click HERE or on the above photo. For additional photos and b-roll, click HERE . San Miguel, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced that he secured $1,034,487 in federal funding for the San Miguel Fire Department to construct an Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The Community Project Funding, provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operations Center Grant Program, will fund the EOC portion of a new multiuse public-safety facility adjacent to the existing fire station. The facility will provide emergency services and law enforcement agencies with the dedicated space, technology, and resources needed to coordinate responses to large-scale emergencies. Rep. Panetta was joined at the press conference by San Miguel Fire Chief Scott Young, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, and local law enforcement representatives. “When disasters strike, it’s an all-hands-on-deck reaction by our firefighters and law enforcement officers at every level. That’s why coordination, communication, and integration are important for the success of that type of unified response,” said Rep. Panetta. “Emergency Operations Centers can act as a central nervous system for our community during major disasters. That’s why I’m proud to have secured more than $1 million in federal funding for an Emergency Operations Center to be located at a new firehouse in San Miguel. This investment will give local first responders the dedicated space and resources they need to better react, communicate, and keep our community safe.” “With San Miguel’s continued growth comes the responsibility of enhancing our emergency response services, facilities, and equipment. The proposed fire station expansion is a critical step in preparing San Miguel for the future. The San Miguel community is truly grateful for this support and for the recognition of the need to invest in emergency services, public safety, and community resilience. This funding will help place San Miguel Fire on the path forward, allowing us to better serve the needs of our community, our county, and our state with reliable emergency services well into the foreseeable future,” said Fire Chief Young. “As wildfires continue to increase in intensity and winter storms become more aggressive across the Central Coast, a local Emergency Operations Center will give the San Miguel Fire Department the tools and coordination capacity it needs to respond to complex emergencies, from fires and flooding to severe storms and earthquakes. I am proud to support this project and thank Congressman Jimmy Panetta for the critical investment in the resilience of our San Miguel neighbors,” said Assemblymember Addis. Located in northern San Luis Obispo County, San Miguel currently lacks a dedicated facility for coordinating a large-scale emergency response. The new multiuse building will strengthen the community’s ability to prepare for and respond to natural or human-caused disasters. When the EOC is not activated, it will provide shared space for emergency services and law enforcement agencies serving the region. During an emergency, the EOC will serve as a central hub for deploying resources, securing additional personnel and equipment, sharing information among responding agencies, and communicating with the media and public. While local agencies can manage most incidents within their own jurisdictions, larger and more complex emergencies often require a multi-jurisdictional response. A dedicated EOC will allow San Miguel’s first responders to work more effectively with North County law enforcement, CAL FIRE, the California Highway Patrol, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, and other county, regional, state, and federal partners. Primarily staffed by dedicated volunteers, the San Miguel Fire Department serves a population of just over 3,000 residents. This investment will help ensure that the department’s emergency-response capabilities continue to grow alongside the community. This funding adds to the millions of dollars Rep. Panetta has secured for emergency services across California’s 19th Congressional District, including $500,000 for the design and construction of a fire and emergency services training facility in Paso Robles, $1 million for a new fire engine and equipment for the Templeton Fire Department, and $935,000 for a new fire engine for the Cambria Fire Department. For additional photos and b-roll, click HERE . ###