Notifying the Public
Emergency Alert System (EAS)
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Broadcast via mainstream media (TV, radio)
Criteria:
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Situation is time critical
Situation poses threat to life and property
Public must be instructed
Other warning methods would be ineffective
Initiated through WCCCA (Back-up: LEDS / KXL Radio)
Message is < 2 minutes in length
Templates: First-In Guide, PIO, WCCCA
Notifying the Public
Public Alerts (the previous system): Landline Phones Only
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Landlines receive automatically.
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WCCCA’s system contains listed and
unlisted numbers and is updated quarterly.
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Updated quarterly from telephone
companies / $6,600 yr.
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Initiated through WCCCA Supervisor.
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Templates: First-In Guide, PIOs, WCCCA.
Notifying the Public
Public Alerts (CityWatch): Landline + VoIP, Cell, Text, Email
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WCCCA purchased CityWatch software.
Emergency messaging:
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Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone
Cell Phones
Email
Text/SMS
Initiated through WCCCA Supervisor.
Pre-produced messages.
Notifying the Public
Public Alerts (Reverse 9-1-1)
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Landline, VoIP, Cell, Text, Email
During an activation, CityWatch makes multiple calls at once.
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During a June 2010 activation the system made 1830 calls in 12.5
minutes (146 calls per minute)
Demo of CityWatch
Receiving a Public Alert
Public Alerts: VoIP, Cell, Text/SMS, and Email
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Database provided to WCCCA by phone companies is shrinking
Public must sign-up!
Register their address
www.publicalerts.org
www.publicalerts.org/signup
www.wccca.com/web
Public Alerts Roll-Out
Increase Awareness for WCCCA User Groups
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Overview
Activation and Messaging Templates
Increase Community Awareness
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Public Alerts Sign-Up
Consistent messaging
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Press release, newsletters, social media, websites,
neighborhood meetings, community events, etc.