Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill he says will improve emergency response in California.
Under the measure, the state Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security department will now be merged.
The governor highlighted the bill in a special signing ceremony in San Diego last week. He says it will streamline operations.
Schwarzenegger: "California as we all know has its fair share of earthquakes and mudslides and floods and fires and all of those things but with the measures we are spotlighting and highlighting here today we will be in even better shape than we have been in the past…"
Schwarzenegger also touted recent agreements signed with private businesses and organizations-like Wal Mart and the California Grocers Association. Those groups have agreed to help out in emergencies by offering quick access to supplies and food and water when disaster strikes.
The governor actually finished work signing legislation by the September 30th deadline, but over the last few days has continued holding signing ceremonies to promote certain measures.
