Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today will lead California through its largest emergency response exercise ever to test the state's readiness and response to a major earthquake. With more than 5,000 emergency responders from approximately 100 local, state and federal agencies participating, the Golden Guardian exercise will simulate a 7.8 magnitude earthquake along the southern portion of the San Andreas Fault. Additionally, more than 5.1 million Californians have registered to take part in the ShakeOut Drill, which will be held in conjunction with Golden Guardian 2008. Combined, this is the largest earthquake drill and exercise in U.S. history.

"California has the best emergency operations and first responders in the world, but we always want to get better, which is why this practice drill is so important," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "Here in California we are determined to make preparation the difference between emergency and catastrophe. We cannot make precise predictions about when an earthquake will happen, but we can be prepared."

Golden Guardian 2008 is the statewide emergency preparedness exercise and is paid for by federal homeland security grants. It will test coordination between federal, state and local response and recovery among city, county, and state agencies, community-based organizations and the private sector, as well as the state's Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and mass care and shelter operations.

Dozens of state agencies will participate, including the Governor's Office of Homeland Security (OHS), Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Highway Patrol, CaliforniaVolunteers, Health and Human Services Agency, California Department of Transportation, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and others-all with critical roles to play in the event of a disaster. The California National Guard, for example, will be simulating command and control of its more than 20,000 members in crucial areas such as security, transportation and equipment support for the exercise.

"We always want to make sure our first responders have the best training, equipment and procedures," said Office of Homeland Security Director Matthew Bettenhausen. "We always want to examine how we can do things better and how we can best respond to disasters."

The Governor will take part in real time, with the information and decision-making process being simulated as if it were a real emergency. He was picked up at his home and flown by helicopter to the Southern Regional Emergency Operations Center in Los Alamitos where he was joined by members of his Cabinet and established command and control.

"This exercise couldn't come at a more important time," said Governor's Office of Emergency Services Director Henry Renteria. "The question is no longer if, but when, the next big earthquake will happen in California. Each minute we spend practicing and preparing is time well spent for all Californians."

Golden Guardian 2008 will continue through next week with follow-up response exercises. The lessons learned will be incorporated into future response and recovery plans by local, state and federal agencies.

Created in 2003, OHS has the responsibility of coordinating the state's terrorism prevention efforts and working with federal, state and local partners to ensure that first responders have the tools they need as well as adequate training and exercise opportunities to meet any challenge.

Since September 11, 2001, OHS has administered more than $1.8 billion in homeland security grants, the vast majority of which go to local law enforcement and first responder agencies. All of California's 58 counties have received homeland security funds to purchase equipment, provide training and develop strategies and plans to both prevent acts of terrorism and respond to emergencies.