(TNS) - A bill that would create statewide standards for warning the public about wildfires, floods, earthquakes and other emergencies awaits Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature after both houses of the Legislature voted unanimously to approve it this week.

Senate Bill 833 was put forward by several North Coast lawmakers, including Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, after widespread public criticism about ineffective emergency notifications during last year’s firestorm. The legislation passed Monday in the state Assembly and Tuesday in the state Senate.

“Lives depend on the Legislature and the governor taking swift action to ensure statewide emergency alert standards are adopted, training for local emergency managers is implemented and we invest in a more proactive and effective mutual aid response system,” McGuire said in a statement earlier this week. “In the age of mega-fires, we need to have a universal emergency alert system in all 58 counties.”

McGuire introduced the bill in partnership with Sens. Bill Dodd and Jerry Hill, along with Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Marc Levine and Jim Wood.

The bill would require the state Office of Emergency Services to create emergency alert guidelines, in consultation with government groups, cellphone service providers and other stakeholders, by July 1.

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