Reliable communications during emergencies has been a priority in Santa Barbara for decades. A new satellite system allows linkage between many different organizations and supports radio broadcasts even during power outages.
Santa Barbara has always focused on emergency communications and stressed ways to ensure that important information is available to residents during power outages. An impressive partnership between public and private organizations has resulted in an emergency communications system that links the County Emergency Operations Center with generator-powered radio stations and then to the radio-listening public. This ensures that during a disaster people can still tune into their radios to get emergency information even if the power is out.
The technology that makes the difference is satellite communication equipment that was given to the County by a local community group called California Concern. The CC got the funds for the equipment from the Orfalea Foundation through their “Aware and Prepare” program. It took a great deal of work by each organization to make the project succeed.
The project has several aspects to it, one of which is a drive to encourage everyone to get a crank or battery powered radio in their emergency kits. A radio is usually transportable and likely to be the best way to get information during an emergency as opposed to a TV, cell phone or the Internet, all of which are useless if the power is out. The CC has been distributing more than 5,000 hand crank radios to area residents through the County’s Social Services Department.
If there is an emergency, radio stations that have emergency back up generators will broadcast regular information to residents, including evacuation orders, where the disaster is located, street closures, shelter information and anything else that would be helpful in helping people make informed decisions early enough to save lives, protect property and ease stress.
To make sure that everyone is aware of the new program, a public education and awareness campaign was conducted and emergency testing was done. The program launched in March in conjunction with Daylight Savings Time and the public awareness campaign covered a wide swath of publications as well as radio and television.
Communications during a crisis are always a challenge and without information it’s difficult to know what is going on and whether to stay put or evacuate. It’s both encouraging and reassuring to see private and public organizations working together to make sure that Santa Barbara residents are covered when it comes to getting information during an emergency.