Newsletter

Preparing California Public Agencies for Summer 2026

As summer approaches, public agencies face a recurring yet intensifying set of risks. Heat waves are becoming more frequent and prolonged, wildfire conditions are developing earlier, and seasonal programming significantly increases exposure involving employees, children, temporary staff, and public-facing facilities and operations. The question for public entities is no longer whether these risks will materialize, but whether adequate policies, training, and operational controls are in place before peak conditions arrive.

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Heat Illness: Top Compliance Issue and Employee Injury Risk

Heat illness poses the most immediate and actively enforced risk for California public agencies during the summer. With heat waves becoming more frequent and intense, Cal/OSHA enforces both outdoor (8 CCR §3395) and indoor (8 CCR §3396) heat illness prevention standards. The risk increases notably when indoor temperatures reach or exceed 82°F. Agencies must ensure that their policies, training, and operational controls are fully implemented and up to date before peak summer conditions, particularly for employees, children, volunteers, temporary staff, and those working indoors and out. Public agencies should prioritize supervisor and employee training focused on both indoor and outdoor heat illness prevention. Regular refresher courses and clear operational guidance are essential to mitigate employee injury risks, ensure compliance with Cal/OSHA standards, and help protect employees and program participants alike during the high-risk summer months.

Authority training:

• Heat Illness Prevention Training (Indoor and Outdoor)—eLearning
• Heat Illness Prevention—classroom

Additional resources:

• Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Plan templates (indoor and outdoor)
• Heat Safety Tool APP
• OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Campaign

Preparing for Longer Wildfire and Smoke Seasons

Fire officials anticipate elevated wildfire potential across large portions of California in 2026. In addition to direct fire threats, agencies must prepare for smoke exposure, degraded air quality, evacuations, power shutoffs, and facility closures that affect employees and public services.

Authority resources:

• Wildfire Risk Management White Paper
• Emergency Preparedness & Fire Extinguisher Safety Training

Additional resources:

• 5141.1 Protection from Wildfire Smoke
• AirNow Air Quality Index (AQI) Tool

Summer Programs: Child Safety and Vigilant Risk Management

Summer operations significantly increase exposures involving children through camps, recreation programs, aquatics, libraries, and park activities. Drowning, supervision lapses, and abuse allegations represent some of the highest severity and most sensitive loss exposures faced by public agencies. Implementing proactive actions beyond mandated reporter training is necessary to advance youth-serving programs.

Authority resources:

• Praesidium Abuse Prevention Services

Through Praesidium, members have access to the following resources and training:

• Helpline, screening tools, and model policies
• Mandated reporter policy templates and training
• Youth program risk mitigation guidance

With more than twenty training opportunities that include:

• Foundations – Preventing Abuse in Youth-Serving Organizations
• Preventing Elder Abuse and Neglect
• Preventing Sexual Activity Between Adolescents
• Keeping Your Day Camp Safe
• Athlete Protection

Aquatics: Controlling Severe Loss Exposures 

Aquatic facilities remain a focal point for injury and fatality exposure. Prior to peak season, agencies should conduct inspections, mitigate hazards, and verify lifeguard certifications, staffing levels, and emergency response readiness.

Authority resources:

• Swimming Pool Checklist

Authority training:

• First Aid, CPR, and AED training (adult and pediatric)
• Aquatic Risk Management—H2-Whoa!

Special Events: Seasonal Liability and Risk Management

Summer months bring a marked increase in special events held on public agency property, including parades, festivals, concerts, athletic events, and private facility rentals. These events concentrate liability exposure related to crowds, vendors, alcohol service, and traffic control.

The Authority has developed Special Event Guidelines to promote consistent, risk-based evaluation of special events and facility use requests. These guidelines assist agencies in assessing event risk exposures, insurance requirements, site conditions, accessibility, and emergency plans.

Authority resources:

• Special Event Guidelines
• Special Event Checklist
• Facility Use Agreement Template
• Special Event Insurance Coverage Program
• Authority risk manager consultation for high-risk or non-routine events

Seasonal Workforce Readiness

Seasonal operations often rely on volunteers, part-time or temporary employees, or employees reassigned from other areas, underscoring the importance of targeted training prior to summer activities. The Authority offers in-person, virtual instructor-led, and online self-paced training designed to address seasonal public agency risks.

Authority resources:

• Customer Service and De-escalation for Public Agencies: Strategies for Success
• Part-Time and Seasonal Employee Orientation Training
• Volunteer Manual

Other training to consider:

• Playground Safety
• Library Service, Safety, and Security

Agencies are encouraged to review training completion records before peak season and coordinate scheduling of necessary courses with their training registrar.

Preparing for Summer Efficiently

The California JPIA provides members with policy templates, regulatory compliance tools, training programs, and direct risk management support to help agencies prepare for seasonal risks. Early engagement with your Authority-assigned risk manager is strongly encouraged to identify vulnerabilities before summer operations are fully underway.

Resources can be accessed and downloaded via the online library located in the resources section of the Authority’s website. Trainings can be accessed through the Authority’s online learning management system.

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