The County of Orange and the Cities of Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana have entered into a Joint Powers Agreement creating the Orange County-City Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Authority (OCCHMERA). The purpose of the Authority is to provide prompt and efficient response to hazardous materials emergencies throughout the Orange County region utilizing hazardous materials response teams from these jurisdictions.

The Authority, formed under the Joint Exercise of Powers Act, is considered a public entity separate and apart from the participating agencies. The Authority is governed by a Board of Directors, and administered by staff of the Environmental Protection Section.