Emergency Notifications

Since no single method of communications is fail-safe, regional public safety officials use a combination of four methods to keep the public informed during an emergency.

1. Local government Public Information Officers (PIO) gather key information from first responders and elected officials and produce press releases that are then broadcast by local media outlets.
2. Emergency Managers can initiate the Emergency Alert System (EAS). This system interrupts local radio and television broadcasts with emergency alerts and instructions to the public.
3. First Responders and credentialed volunteers can go door-to-door alerting citizens of impending hazards.
4. Reverse 911 System can be used to automatically telephone residents and relay emergency information. (The Reverse 911 System is a computer system that calls telephones in a particular geographic area, and plays a recorded message. However, there are two issues to consider - availability of electric utility power, and ability of the system to contact a particular telephone.)

In an emergency, the electric utility power may fail at any time. This means that any telephone which relies on electric utility power to function will not work.

Again, there is no guarantee that every citizen can be contacted, but with these four methods, regional officials can quickly notify large sections of the local population.

The Emergency Alert System (EAS):

Local Primary Stations
In an emergency tune in to: KOWL 1490 AM KRLT 93.9 FM

CALSTAR Membership Program

California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR) is a non-profit air ambulance service that is mission-driven, not profit driven. Their shareholders are the communities they serve. While they hope you never need to fly with CALSTAR, they understand the ramifications an air ambulance transport can mean financially. The average cost of an air ambulance transport is $25,000. Few families are prepared for large medical bills - even when you are insured. CALSTAR offers an affordable answer. A CALSTAR member pays only their deductible. They bill the insurer (if there is one). CALSTAR members will not incur any additional costs associated with the air ambulance transport. CALSTAR memberships are available to anyone - even if you are uninsured. Corporate membership programs are also available at group rates. To become a member, or for more information, please visit their website: www.calstar.org or call 1-888-207-LIFE (5433).