EARLY WARNING SYSTEM (EWS) SIRENS
The San Luis Obispo County Early Warning System (EWS) sirens extend throughout the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ). Although the siren system was installed and is maintained as one of the requirements related to the operation of Diablo Canyon, the sirens can be used for any local emergency when there is a need for the public to take action. When activated, the sirens will emit a steady sound for three minutes. The sirens are an indication that the Emergency Alert System (EAS) has been activated, and emergency information will be provided on local radio and television stations.
EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS)
The EAS is a national public warning system that requires radio and television stations broadcast emergency information provided by local, state and federal officials. During an emergency, local officials would activate the EAS to provide emergency information and actions necessary to the general public. To ensure you can tune in to this system during all types of emergencies, make sure you have a battery powered radio at your home and workplace.
TESTING OF PUBLIC ALERT NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS
Testing of public alert and notification systems is an important part of emergency planning. These tests help ensure that the systems are available and in working order should they be needed during an emergency. Although these systems are tested frequently throughout the year, only a few of these tests will be heard by the public.
EWS SIREN TESTING
The EWS sirens are tested annually in a full scale test during the month of August. During the annual test, all 131 sirens are sounded at full volume for three minutes. The system will be sounded at noon and again at 12:30 pm to allow emergency officials to test both the primary and backup activation points. In addition to the full scale test, the sirens undergo routine silent tests as well as quarterly low power growl tests. Although you may notice the sirens rotating, or hear a low volume siren sound for a period of a few seconds, no action is required or requested on the part of the public during these tests.
EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM TESTING
The EAS is tested regularly throughout the year during weekly and monthly tests. These tests are broadcast on local radio and television stations. No action is required on the part of the public during these tests.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HEAR SIRENS
If you hear a steady siren for three minutes, you should tune to a local radio or television station. These local stations will have emergency information about what you should do, including possible protective actions such as evacuation or shelter in place.
If an emergency were to occur at DCPP, it is likely that only a small part of the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) would need to take action. To know whether you or others in your family may be affected you should know the PAZ numbers for your home, business, or school/daycare that your children attend. PAZ numbers will be used in official EAS broadcasts heard on local radio and television stations. PAZs are within the EPZ shown on the map in the Evacuation Basics section.
IF YOU HEAR THE SIRENS:
• Go indoors and tune to a local radio or television station. Stay tuned for information and instructions. Tune to Marine Channel 16 for emergency information while at sea.
• If you are able, check on your neighbors and make sure they are aware of the emergency warning and related emergency actions.
• Call (805) 543-2444 if you need information or assistance during an emergency. This phone line is only activated when there is an emergency that affects large numbers of people in the county
• DO NOT CALL 9-1-1! 9-1-1 is an emergency line for people who need urgent medical, fire, or police help. Using 9-1-1 for information ties up the system and may delay help for someone who needs it.
• DO NOT EVACUATE unless you are directed to do so over the EAS or by emergency officials.
• Do not use your telephone unless you need to call for help. Please leave telephone lines open and emergency personnel available for people who need immediate lifesaving help.
• If sirens sound and there is no message on local radio or television stations, there may have been a siren malfunction. Please report siren malfunctions to the Sheriff’s Department at (805) 781-4553.
EMERGENCY TELEPHONIC NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (REVERSE 911)
San Luis Obispo County officials have the capability to inform the public of an emergency by utilizing an emergency telephonic notification system. This system gives emergency officials the ability to notify residents and businesses in a designated area by telephone of an emergency and actions they may need to take. San Luis Obispo County officials may choose to utilize this system for any emergency taking place in the county. The telephonic notification system utilizes the 9-1-1 telephone database, and is able to contact listed and unlisted land-line telephones. If you have a Voice-over IP (VoIP) or cellular telephone that you would like to be notified on, you must self-register those telephone numbers. To register, go to www.slocounty.ca.gov/oes/Reverse911.
WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS (WEA)
County, state and federal officials also have the ability to activate Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) which provide push notifications to capable wireless devices based on your geographic area. Be sure to check your device settings to ensure you can receive these alerts. For more information on WEA, please visit www.slocounty.ca.gov/oes.
ROUTE ALERTING
Route alerting is a form of alert and notification that is used frequently in small scale emergencies, or during rapidly changing situations in a designated area. In route alerting, emergency officials drive or walk through an affected or potentially affected area alerting residents of the emergency and actions they need to take. Although route alerting is effective when other systems are unavailable, it is dependent on resource availability and can be a slow process. Route alerting is typically used in areas that need to take immediate action.
NOAA WEATHER RADIOS
Emergency alert radio signals are provided by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS). These radio signals are not accessible over AM/FM radios but are received by NOAA weather radios. Weather radios can be used to alert the public of any emergency, not just weather events. For additional information, see the National Weather Service website at www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/.
SOCIAL MEDIA
In addition to traditional forms of public alert and notification, social media is an additional method that may be used to share information about an emergency. Although emergency officials will continue to utilize the EWS sirens and the EAS as the primary alert and notification method, the public is encouraged to connect with us on facebook and twitter.
Connect with us on Facebook® facebook.com/SLOCountyOES
Follow us on Twitter® @slocountyoes
OUR ALERT & NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS MAY BE USED FOR ANY LOCAL EMERGENCY: TSUNAMI, FLOOD, NUCLEAR, FIRE, HAZMAT