Over the last few decades, San Mateo County’s coastside infrastructure has severely deteriorated. Remote areas along the coast are especially at risk when internet and cell service are impacted, severely limiting their reachability in emergencies. Earlier this year, nearly 38,000 coastside residents experienced prolonged power outages. Without power, internet and cell service lines can be severely affected. In such situations, residents may struggle to reach emergency responders, and responders may face challenges reaching isolated coastal areas. 

To mitigate this issue and enhance community resiliency, Supervisor Ray Mueller, in partnership with the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), has introduced the Coastside Resilience Infrastructure Strategic Plan (CRISP). CRISP promotes a collaborative approach, engaging stakeholders from various agencies and organizations along the coast to prioritize community voices and concerns. Our goal is to strengthen the coastside community through focused action.    

As discussions progress, this strategic framework will bring together diverse perspectives from the sharpest minds in emergency management to highlight critical infrastructure priorities and pave the way for innovative solutions. Through CRISP, a comprehensive inventory and assessment of infrastructures will be conducted to develop a prioritization framework. Coastside communities will be empowered to address current challenges and build a resilient, sustainable future. 

Our mission is to advocate for YOU, the citizens of San Mateo County. Help us help you build long-term resilience and sustainability by learning more about CRISP, engaging in discussions with local stakeholders, and preparing yourself and your family for any emergency. Resilience and mitigation start with individual action and are most effective when we all contribute. Learn more below. 

Mission and Vision

The mission for CRISP is clear: to develop a comprehensive understanding of the existing coastside infrastructure and associated projects, enabling County leaders and the DEM to collectively prioritize and advocate for critical infrastructure projects that are crucial for the resilience and sustainability of the coast.   

The CRISP project fosters collaborative efforts among public agencies, emphasizing the crucial importance of coastal resilience.  This strategic approach not only mitigates risks, but also fosters innovation and collaboration, harnessing the collective strength of public agencies, stakeholders, and residents alike.  As the journey continues, all are welcome to participate in this crucial effort.  Together we’re building a resilient coastside for generations to come. 

While CRISP does not include advocating to complete coastside critical infrastructure projects at this time, data collected from the CRISP Essential Elements Project Survey will achieve the goals of: 

  • Engaging stakeholders to identify and catalog coastside infrastructures needs to develop a prioritization framework based on condition assessments. 
  • Building a Geographic Information System (GIS) database or dashboard to manage, visualize, and share the data collected on coastal infrastructure. 
  • Advocating and supporting project via grant writing services 

By adopting this approach, CRISP ensures that communities are well-informed and equipped to actively participate in securing their coastside areas. This strategic effort underscores the importance of collective action in fostering a sustainable and resilient future for San Mateo County's coastside regions. 

Leadership and Funding 

San Mateo County’s District 3, under the leadership of Supervisor Ray Mueller, is confronting significant challenges due to its expansive coastline and various environmental threats. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Mueller has spearheaded proactive measures to enhance the resilience of coastside communities. 

In a notable achievement, Supervisor Mueller secured $200,000 in funding for the Coastside Resilience Infrastructure Strategic Plan (CRISP) from the Emergency Services Council (ESC). This funding is crucial for identifying key coastside infrastructure projects and creating a prioritization framework for effective advocacy. 

Additionally, Supervisor Mueller has allocated $150,000 for grant writing opportunities, further supporting the advancement of CRISP initiatives. These efforts underscore Supervisor Mueller's strong commitment to protecting San Mateo County’s coastside areas, ensuring their resilience and sustainability for years to come. 

Call to Action 

The CRISP project is building tomorrow’s resilience along the County’s coast and the DEM is excited to invite stakeholders to join this vital effort.  Through the CRISP Essential Elements Project Survey, the DEM is requesting stakeholders complete the survey to share critical infrastructure project lifecycle information and data.  

Data from this survey will help the DEM advocate on stakeholders’ behalf as part of the County and the DEM’s ongoing efforts to shape future mitigation strategies and actions moving forward. 

The CRISP Essential Elements Project Survey is designed for stakeholders to describe a single project only.  Please complete the survey for each critical infrastructure project.  

CRISP Project Survey        Project Stakeholder Survey