Riverside County Emergency Management Healthcare Coalition

The Riverside County Emergency Management Healthcare Coalition meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month, with the exception of two blackout months per year. All meetings begin at 1:30 p.m. unless indicated otherwise. Meeting location varies each month, check agenda for location details.

Countywide Hazmat Operations Group (CHOG) members following an exercise. 

Countywide Hazmat Operations Group

Since its inception in 2005, the Countywide Hazmat Operations Group (CHOG) fosters strong partnerships among agencies with responsibilities involving hazardous materials (hazmat) incidents. These multi-disciplinary relationships demonstrate collaboration that results in an enhanced capability to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and/or explosive device threats. 

CHOG consists of hazmat teams from EMD, CALFIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, Riverside County Sheriff's Hazardous Device Team, County of Riverside Department of Environmental Health, Riverside University Health System - Public Health, as well as the cities of Corona, Hemet and Riverside.

Goals of CHOG include:

• Standardize equipment
• Develop joint response procedures
• Enhance training opportunities
• Share resources
• Test joint response capabilities

These goals are accomplished through committee meetings, training sessions and exercises. Funding is provided through the State Homeland Security Grant Program, administered by EMD.