The April Monthly Meeting, Communications, With and Without Radios, was very well attended and provided a lot of information about disaster communications from a panel of speakers.

We had a speaker from a wireless carrier discuss the hardening of cell towers and the status of cell communication following an earthquake. While the network will be jammed, the backup power will have kicked in and towers should be working. Use SMS text messages instead of voice whenever possible.

CERT notifications includes a new program that will allow the local Police and Fire to text CERT members during an emergency. Watch the website for news of this program and an opt-in form.

FRS radio and HAM radio communications were presented. FRS is very limited but is inexpensive to buy and no license is required. HAM classes and radios were discussed and encouraged as this is the way to reach out over longer distances.

The Contra Costa County Community Warning System, including TENS, the reverse 911 system, was discussed. To get your cell phone listed go to http://www.cococws.us/loadlogin.action   The alerts are all life-threatening. No all-clear alerts will be sent.

WEA (Wireless Emergency Alerts) is a new program that will be on your smartphone in the near future. Details of the program were discussed. You can expect to see alerts on cell phones during emergencies within the next year. These are not SMS texts and are delivered to your phone at no cost to you. The alerts are from the President, NOAA or the county Sheriff’s office. They will go to any cell phone that is operating in a specified geographical area so you might get an alert while on vacation far away from home if there is a problem where you are currently.

Nixle, a program that allows first responders to push alerts to the public was presented. This is a subscription (free) service. If you want to sign up for the alerts go to www.nixle.com and register. Both Lafayette and Moraga Police use this service. Typical alerts include road closures, Amber Alerts, Be On The Lookout, etc.

PulsePoint is a program that is tied into the fire dispatch system. If you have the program on your smartphone, you can get an alert when there is a call near you. This is especially valuable if you know CPR and someone very close to you needs help. Go to your app store and search for PulsePoint or go to http://pulsepoint.org/

Nextdoor, a website that is specific to your neighborhood, was presented with both pro and con comments regarding its usefulness. You can join for free and connect with your neighbors. https://nextdoor.com/