Jose Lara serves as the Chief of the Seismic Hazards Branch within the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). The branch’s focus is on improving the safety of California’s residents and visitors before disaster strikes by enhancing earthquake, tsunami, and volcano preparedness. He also oversees the development and implementation of the California Earthquake Early Warning System, the country’s first publicly available, statewide warning system that could give California residents crucial seconds to take cover before you feel shaking.

Jose was formerly the Chief of the Mitigation and Dam Safety Branch and was charged with the implementation of the department’s program and statutory requirements related to State and Local Hazard Mitigation Planning and dam safety emergency planning. His past experiences in emergency management and homeland security include Hazard Mitigation Planning and Critical Infrastructure Protection. In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Jose has deployed to the State and Regional Operations Centers as a Director and Planning Section Chief, in response to multiple federally- and state-declared disasters including the Oroville Dam Spillway Incident and the COVID-19 Response. He has 17 years of experience in the emergency management and homeland security field within California. Jose earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations, Peace and Security, from the University of California, Davis. As an avid white water rafting guide, Jose has a personal interest and knowledge of water features in the state.