Los Alamos Radio System Interview

March 2007

Los Alamos County, New Mexico, inaugurates dual ALERT AM systems . . .

. . . to help manage large daytime traffic issues for commuters to the National Laboratory and to help manage emergencies in an isolated, mountain community.

Joel Humke, the ISS representative who installed the twin Los Alamos County stations, and Philmont Taylor, Los Alamos emergency director, provide overviews below.

Joel Humke: "Everything works and it's a beautiful thing. Phil Taylor is pleased with the coverage and results [as he states below]. Los Alamos, is located at the rim of a dormant volcano. With limited access, the options for evacuation are limited. One of the concerns expressed by Los Alamos County was the need to disseminate emergency information to the public in a timely and efficient manner. Phil Taylor mentioned to me that 'Every time someone even smells the slightest whiff of smoke, our 911 and emergency call center lines are swamped with callers asking if they need to evacuate.' The new ALERT AM system in Los Alamos and White Rock not only provides information about wild fires but also can broadcast information about other emergencies, such as traffic accidents causing road blockages, road construction and emergency drills at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The two transmitting facilities do an excellent job of covering the population in the area."	*Photography* *by James Garboske*

	It's clear why Los Alamos was selected as the site of the Manhattan Project during WWII: there are only two roads in and out, one from the East and one from the West.

Philmont Taylor:

"Our fundamental emergency public information requirements probably don’t differ substantially from those of any other jurisdictions. Primarily, we’re interested in a methodology that will allow me to expeditiously communicate emergent information to as many people as possible within our jurisdictional boundaries. I have the following constraints/challenges:

• Small, isolated, mountain community – two roads leading in/out – deep canyons and high mesas.
• Limited commercial radio/TV coverage.
• Large daytime transient population/commuters who work at a National Laboratory.

"The emergency scenarios that could be envisioned that might merit the employment of ALERT AM are nearly endless, but here’s a short list of realistic possibilities:

• Severe weather events with corresponding school/Laboratory closures
• Traffic accidents that interrupt the “normal” commute
• Evacuation/shelter-in-place instructions
• Any emergency public warning/information that needs to be disseminated RIGHT NOW.

"[During non-emergency times,] I’ve developed a playlist that includes a two-minute NWS [National Weather Service] loop and several minutes of 'community announcements' that repeat throughout the day, 24/7. Currently, a complete loop (including the NWS feed) runs about ten minutes, give or take. I’ve been updating this playlist each month to keep it from getting too stale. It currently includes the following kinds of information:

• A spot on controlled burns in the area.
• Spot on what 'Los Alamos Emergency Management Radio' is and how it came about.
• A spot about our emergency management website.
• Winter driving tips.
• County library branch locations and hours.
• Our 'Crime-Stoppers' hotline.

• Our 311 service.
• Our county council meeting locations, times/dates.
• Two minutes on home/family disaster preparedness.
• The State’s Department of Health website.
• Flu prevention.
• County job application procedures.
• 'If you have questions or comments on this station call …..'

"[To date, Taylor has used these creative methods to make citizens aware of the stations:]

• I wrote a press release and got the local press to do an article right after we went 'live.'
• I enclosed a bill-stuffer in the utility bills.
• I got the Laboratory to incorporate our press release in their local, internal newsletter.
• I mention the station at every speaking opportunity, meeting, discussion, etc.
• I’ve gotten the schools to send info home with the kids.
• I’m ordering things like refrigerator magnets, pens and pencils to hand out at fairs, booths, etc.
• I attached a little blurb onto my email signature."