As Fire Rage in Southern California, Northern Legislators Introduce Bill for Statewide Standards for Emergency Notification Alerts

house on fire

House burning during the Redwood Fire. [Photo by Michael Godinez]

Press release from Senator Mark McGuire:

California is experiencing a fire season like none other in our history. The unprecedented devastation during the October firestorm in Northern California is now ranked as the most destructive and deadly in American history, and we are now facing the huge fires raging in southern California.

The firestorm that ravaged Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties destroyed over 6,000 homes, scorched more than 170,000 acres, causing billions in damage and resulting in the death of 44 residents (there are still residents registered missing from the fires).

Thousands of neighbors, in the middle of the night on a Sunday evening, were caught unaware and their lives were saved by brave neighbors, friends, police and firemen going door to door. Residents reported that they did not receive emergency alerts during the peak of the evacuations, and after initial review, it’s become obvious a statewide standard for emergency alerts must be established.

California’s North Bay legislative delegation will be introducing a bill setting statewide emergency alert protocols.

There are several different emergency warning systems available to counties that alert residents through cell phone calls, text messages, and landline recordings. Some systems require residents to “opt-in” to the alert notifications, and others have limitations on how they can be targeted in specific areas.

Legislation being introduced by Senator McGuire and the entire North Bay California Legislative Delegation in January will require every county in California to adopt the up-to-date Wireless Emergency Alert system with trained operators who can implement an evacuation order using the alert system. The legislation will also set out standards for when counties should use the system, the legislation will mandate that alerts have to be sent out via landline telephones, mobile phone devices and other mediums as well as guidelines and protocols for when and how the alerts should be sent.

“The size and scope of wild land fire events in California are only getting worse. It’s clear there are shortcomings in our emergency alert system and residents deserve timely notifications and up-to-date information,” Senator Mike McGuire (D-North Bay) said. “Lives depend on the Legislature and Governor taking swift action to ensure statewide emergency alert standards are adopted, training is implemented and funding is secured to ensure communities big and small have reliable alert systems deployed.”

“When wildfires and other disasters strike, it’s critical that impacted residents get emergency alerts as quickly as possible,” said Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa). “Regardless of where you live in California, everyone should be able to rely on a comprehensive, modern warning systems that gets information to the people who need it, when they need it. Emergency alerts can save lives, which is why Senator McGuire and I are partnering with our colleagues in the state Assembly to advance a system that meets our twenty-first century needs.”

“The raging wildfires endangering Californians across the state is without precedent. Lawmakers must protect our communities with the best safety notifications available to prevent loss of life during emergency situations,” said Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-Marin County). “All California communities should have dependable emergency alert systems and be notified when lives are in danger.”

“The recent devastating fires in Northern California have put laser focus on our need to fix our emergency notification system,” said Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg). As we now see with the fires in Southern California, the time is now to protect our residents with a system that works for everyone, both urban and rural.”

“As a Member of the Joint Committee on Emergency Management, we heard testimony this week on how critical it is for local governments to alert our mutual constituents in times of crisis,” said Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters).  “I’m happy to join in this effort with my legislative and local government colleagues, and I look forward to continuing our work together that started during the North Bay wildfires.  As the recovery continues, we must also stay vigilant to protect people in the event of future emergencies.”

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Bob harris
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Bob harris
6 years ago

I agree with the emergency notification. We also, need to set stricter standards for building material, setbacks , fuel reduction and wild land Urban Interface.

Mike
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Mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Bob harris

Haha, what building materials do you think would of changed things? Asbestos??

G-MAS
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G-MAS
6 years ago

My heart breaks for the folks in So.cal.God bless you all,my prayers are with you!

unbridled phillistine
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unbridled phillistine
6 years ago

My first reaction to seeing this devastation was come on people defensive space, But then I saw those winds raising up hundred foot flames! There’s nothing any body could do, Except watch. Terrible and sad xmas for those people.

Andrew
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Andrew
6 years ago

Thankyou Red Headed Blackbelt; you are one of the only local papers
to cover this, kudos to you. The alert is a good idea;

they should also add a horn or siren like Arcata used to have; in case the power goes out. There were reports of the power going out ,no wifi, no internet, no cell phone, just before these fires and the Mendicino fires.

Life is Good
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Life is Good
6 years ago

Just wait. There’s some sort of Democrat fire tax in the wind. Watch and see.

Fidlin the ganjo
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Fidlin the ganjo
6 years ago

Didnt liberals say the hurricanes in houston were Gods wrath?
Talking mad shit about not helping red states?
But now what? Crickets?

shak
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shak
6 years ago

For the first time ever, I received an email from a Senator or Congressman, informing me how and where to seek help or to help those who are seeking help. I wish they’d all do this, but at least this one and only one did.
I wish I could applaud my own Reps, but they’re too busy doing their own thing.

THC
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THC
6 years ago
Reply to  shak

Probably because most of our reps don’t care about helping anybody but themselves. Or are too busy looking for Russians;<) but seriously with as much taxes as Californians pay, you would think we would have state-of-the-art infrastructure that would help mitigate some of these disasters. But instead communication goes down and there's instant gridlock to where nobody can go anywhere fleeing or trying to help put out the fires.