Since 2011 Budge has served with the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). In his current role, Budge is responsible for the 9-1-1 system that supports 438 Public Safety Answering Points with over 27 million 9-1-1 calls per year. He manages the Emergency Communications Division serves as the California Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) to provide communications planning, coordination, and response. Budge provides the strategic vision to integrate new technologies by developing the roadmap, ensuring sustainable funding model, aligning with statutes and regulations, completing the procurement process, and providing a governance structure to implement and manage the solution.