REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) - Emergency Evacuation Planning and Public Safety Enhancements

The City of Lake Forest (“City”) is seeking cost estimates and information from qualified consultants to support a multi-departmental effort aimed at strengthening the City’s emergency evacuation planning and public safety infrastructure. This initiative responds to evolving state legislation and the growing need for comprehensive emergency preparedness across California communities.

Recent updates to California law—including SB 99 (GC §65302(g)(5)), AB 747 and AB 1409 (GC §65302.15), and AB 478 (GC § 8593.11, § 53074.1)—require local jurisdictions to evaluate and enhance the capacity, safety, and viability of evacuation routes, and to integrate these findings into key planning documents.

The City has previously completed an SB 99 Analysis White Paper, establishing baseline compliance with GC §65302(g)(5). Consultants should assume existing SB 99 compliance and focus on supporting updates to the Public Safety Element and Emergency Operations Plan to ensure full alignment with AB 747 and AB 1409, including any refinements needed based on updated hazard, traffic, or population data.

To meet these requirements and ensure the safety of our community, the City is seeking information from qualified consulting firms to support the following three interrelated initiatives:

1. Evacuation Route Analysis for Public Safety Element Update

Led by the Community Development Department. This effort will identify residential areas with limited evacuation access and assess route viability under various hazard scenarios. Findings will inform updates to the City’s General Plan Safety Element and align with the recent Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) and fire hazard map updates, with a goal of achieving conformity and consistency between all documents.

1. Update to Emergency Operations Plan

Led by the Administrative Services Manager, Management Services Department – Public Safety Division. This component will revise the City’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to reflect current best practices, interagency coordination protocols, and evacuation procedures consistent with state guidance.

1. Traffic Engineering Support

Led by the Public Works Department – Traffic Engineering Division. This effort will involve roadway capacity analysis, emergency traffic flow modeling, and infrastructure recommendations to support safe and efficient evacuations. Tasks include developing evacuation route maps, identifying ITS upgrades, preparing cost estimates, and implementing signal timing plans using the City’s Centracs by Econolite software.