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Los Alamos New Mexico
Emergency Management |
July 2011 |
National Lab Threatened by Flames; Evacuees Updated Real
Time by
ALERT
AM |
Residents and workers fleeing the flames near Los Alamos
National Laboratory listen to AM 1610 to receive special
directions and fire updates. With only two roads leading
in and out of the area, motorists have few evacuation
options. The special radio service was initiated in 2007
by Los Alamos County’s Office of Emergency Management,
with the knowledge that some day it would be called on
to protect lives and property. |
Says
Emergency Manager Phil Taylor, "Our community's
experience with the Cerro Grande fire of 2000 and the
recent Las Conchas fire prompts frequent calls to 911
asking if they need to evacuate for even the slightest
hint of smoke in the air."
Dual ALERT AM Stations in Los Alamos and White Rock not
only provide motorists details about wildfires but also
traffic accidents causing road blockages, road
construction and emergency drills at the Los Alamos
National Laboratory. Two transmitting facilities cover
the population in the area, each covering 25-75 square
miles.
"Shortly after the OEM was activated, I put out an
announcement containing situation analyses and for folks
with respiratory sensitivities to consider voluntary
evacuation. The second day, I used 1610 a LOT along with
our reverse 911 to do the actual evacuation of the town
site. I had to do it in four stages, and later on, a
final 'you MUST get out NOW..." message. ...I must've
changed messages at least three times each day, with
just station ID and situational awareness messages
running on the active playlist (no weather). I'm now
broadcasting at least one fire-related message, road
closure info and weather loop.
"About the only improvement I can think of right now
[that we could make] would be ... to stream 1610, since
most folks have computers, and even if they're evacuated
out of the coverage range, they could still listen."
Philmont Taylor
Office of Emergency Management Website
Los Alamos, New Mexico |
Background |
Dual ALERT AM stations
were set up by EOC
personnel in 2007.
Taylor described the
rationale:
"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 us to
expeditiously
communicate emergent
information to as many
people as possible
within our
jurisdictional
boundaries. We 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.
"Possible emergency
scenarios include . . .-
Severe weather events
with corresponding
school/Laboratory
closures.
-
Traffic accidents that
interrupt normal
commutes.
-
Evacuation/shelter-in-place
instructions.
-
Any emergency public
warning/information that
needs to be disseminated
RIGHT NOW.
"We used these creative
methods to make citizens
aware of the station:-
Press release (he got
the local press to do an
article right after the
station went 'live').
-
Bill-stuffer in utility
bills. -
Laboratory incorporation
of the press release in
their internal
newsletter.
-
Mention of the station
by EOC personnel at
every speaking
opportunity.
-
The schools send info
home with the kids.
-
Refrigerator magnets,
pens and pencils to hand
out at fairs, booths.
-
Descriptive blurb with
EOC email signatures."
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