Supervisors to accept emergency warning system award
The next step in the completion of an emergency alert and warning system for the Hill is a California Fire Safe Council award of $380,000 to the county’s Emergency Management Department (EMD).
In its request for approval of the award from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, EMD wrote, “This grant will assist in the local match allowing for the procurement of long range/high decibel outdoor speakers, supporting equipment, and maintenance of equipment as part of the County of Riverside’s overarching project providing 41 Outdoor Warning Speakers (OWS) and four (4) Traveler Information Stations (TIS) to the region.”
A year ago, the supervisors approved the project in-principle at their Sept. 21, 2021, meeting. Then a few weeks ago, at its Oct. 25, meeting, the board approved increased funding to complete the plan for the warning system and travelers’ information stations for the San Jacinto Mountains areas.
The area to be covered ranges from Pinyon Pines and Poppet Flats in the northern edge of the San Jacinto Mountains through Garner Valley into Anza at the southern edge.
The intent is to improve public alert and warning systems. Idyllwild’s Mile High Radio Club (MHRC) has been pursuing this project for several years.
It will provide enhanced coordination and communications among public safety providers and the public for timely notification using outdoor high decibel speakers located in 41 strategic populated locations throughout this region.
The county warning system is different from, but complements, the Idyllwild Fire Protection District’s (IFPD) plans for sirens within the Idyllwild area.
It will extend WNKI’s (1610 AM radio station) coverage area along the corridors of highways 74 and 243 rather than replacing it. This system also will integrate with and expand upon the existing WNKI 1610 AM radio station by allowing public safety personnel the ability to update information to travelers or evacuees via the WNKI.
The county, in collaboration with IFPD and the MHRC, identified locations for upgrades and installation of the outdoor warning speakers, along with the integration of the existing traveler information stations system.
Besides the radio, digital and speakers, the system will include signage along highways 74 and 243 that will advise travelers to tune-in to WNKI 1610 AM radio for updated evacuation information.
“It’s an all-encompassing warning system,” said Bill Tell, MHRC president, when the board initially approved the project.
“This will help us in the long run,” said Idyllwild Fire Chief Mark LaMont. “But in the next fiscal year, we plan to add an additional siren in Idyllwild, which will give approximately 95% total coverage.”
Initial planning has identified 37 possible OWS sites, which include four TIS sites. Potential sites may be located in the following communities: Castille Canyon, Twin Pines, Anza Valley, Idyllwild/Pine Cove Village, Mountain Center, Pine Meadows and Pinyon Pines. The specific sites include existing fire stations, county property, local water districts, schools and private associations such as the Boy Scout camp.
