“California’s Golden Guardian program is the State’s primary training and exercise program for large-scale emergencies.79 The training exercise is funded and managed through the [CA] Office of Homeland Security. During Golden Guardian 2005, OHS deputy director for training and exercises…told the Commission that many agencies complain that they are not benefiting from Golden Guardian. He commented that agencies must invest their staff and time for training and exercises to be relevant. But several departments told the Commission that OHS has consistently denied their requests to expand the exercise away from terrorist attacks toward more probable events - including earthquakes. “In planning Golden Guardian 2005, it was suggested that state operated shelters be opened to test the shelter and care plan. OHS reportedly turned down the proposal. And local officials reported that Golden Guardian requires them to unfurl their fire hoses and turn out their police and sheriff’s forces, but does little to provide realistic and challenging tests of their personnel and equipment. And as the State prepares for Golden Guardian 2006 in November, state and local officials have sought support for an exercise that tests California’s ability to respond to a large-scale earthquake in the Bay Area. Experts predict a massive seismic event will hit the region in the next 30 years. But OHS has reportedly insisted that the Golden Guardian exercise must concentrate on response to a terrorist attack”. (Little Hoover Com., Safeguarding the Golden State, 2006, 20)