Merced County public meetings in 2025

Merced County Operational Area Disaster Council

The Merced County Operational Area Disaster Council met for its first session on Oct 29, 2025. Members reviewed the Hazard Mitigation Plan, legislative updates, and the development of memorandums of understanding. The Council discussed drafting policies and bylaws, forming subcommittees and working groups, and considered approving the Merced County Emergency Operations Plan. Additional reports were presented by County Fire, the Sheriff’s Department, Public Health, Public Works, Behavioral Health, Community Development, and member cities, and the next meeting was scheduled for June 2026.

• Discussion of policies and bylaws for the Disaster Council
• Development of subcommittees and working groups
• Consideration and approval of the Merced County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
• Presentation of reports from Office of Emergency Services, County Fire, Sheriff’s Department, Public Health, Public Works, Behavioral Health, and member cities
• Scheduling of the next Disaster Council meeting for June 2026 (date TBD)

EMCC Meetings

The Emergency Medical Care Committee meets to receive informational reports on EMS policies, paramedic training programs, and staffing updates. No formal decisions are listed on this agenda.

• Draft EMS policy and procedure updates under 30-day public review
• Paramedic program updates from Merced Community College with 24 graduates from first cohort
• SEMSA staffing report noting $20,000 paramedic sign-on bonus and 18 new hires from April–August 2025

EMCC Meetings

The Emergency Medical Care Committee will meet in person on February 13, 2025, to receive informational reports on ground ambulance response compliance, draft EMS policies and procedures, paramedic program updates, and a SEMSA staffing update. No action items are listed on the agenda. The meeting includes approval of prior minutes and public comment.

• Ground Ambulance Response Compliance report for October–December 2024
• Draft EMS Policy and Procedures review
• Paramedic Program update from Merced Community College
• SEMSA update on staffing and operations
• Meeting is in-person only at 260 E. 15th Street, Merced

The Emergency Medical Care Committee met on February 13, 2025, with a quorum confirmed. The agenda was approved unanimously. No action items were taken; the meeting consisted of informational reports from EMS agencies, including updates on the RFP, CQI, public health, and ambulance staffing. The next meeting is scheduled for May 14, 2025.

• Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
• No action items taken

Oral Health Advisory Committee

The Oral Health Advisory Committee holds a quarterly meeting with updates and discussions. A presentation from Children Now covers federal and state oral health policy updates. The committee also discusses collaboration with Healthy Families America, outreach events for Oral Cancer Awareness, and future meeting dates. No binding decisions are made.

• Presentation by Eileen Espejo of Children Now on oral health federal and state policy updates
• Discussion of collaboration with Healthy Families America
• Outreach events planning for Oral Cancer Awareness and timeline
• Program overview of Merced County Local Oral Health Program (MCLOHP) goals and objectives
• Announcement of future OHAC meeting dates and open subcommittees

The committee discussed program updates and collaborations, including a new partnership with Healthy Families America. Members selected the 'Brush, Book, Bed' theme for a future outreach event and agreed to form a planning committee. No formal votes or binding decisions were made; actions were limited to planning and follow-up items.

• Selected 'Brush, Book, Bed' as outreach event theme
• Agreed to create a planning committee for the outreach event
• Noted potential sponsorship by First 5, pending target age group
• Scheduled next meeting for April 8, 2025