HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC AG PKT 2005-07-25 #J I •
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AGENDA REPORT 6
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Date: July 25, 2005
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Thru: John B. Bahorski, City Manager
FROM: Tim Olson, Police Sergeant
SUBJECT: Emergency Notification System for the City of Seal Beach
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
The proposed City Council action will provide City Staff with direction in establishing an
Emergency Notification System for the City of Seal Beach.
BACKGROUND:
On June 14, 2005 the National Weather Service, the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Geological Survey working in unison activated
the National Emergency Alert System to broadcast a potential tsunami warning along
the California coastline. The Emergency Alert System is a national civil alert system
that uses message relays between member radio and television stations to inform the
public about immediate threats to national security, life, and property. It is now routinely
used for severe weather warnings and can also be employed to disseminate Amber
Alerts for missing children.
After this tsunami warning, there were several newspaper articles written. Several Seal
Beach residents also inquired if the City of Seal Beach is adequately prepared to notify
residents of a pending disaster, such as a tsunami. The City of Seal Beach currently
relies on the Emergency Alert System and also notifies residents of potential natural
disasters telephonically using a system called Reverse 911. The Reverse 911 system
currently has 12 outgoing telephone lines and can call approximately 700 numbers an
hour. In the Old Town area there are approximately 5000 telephone numbers.
City Staff has preliminarily investigated two other types of emergency notification
systems.
Mass Calling is another telephonic message option. This is an additional feature of the
Reverse 911 system. Mass Calling is able to make up to 3000 simultaneous calls.
Based on the approximate 5000 telephone numbers in the Old Town area, the
advantage of Mass Calling is that most telephone numbers in Old Town, as well as the
entire city, could be reached within minutes as opposed to several hours with the
standard Reverse 911 System. Another advantage of both Mass Calling and Reverse
911 is the ability to notify residents when the emergency has ended. Both systems have
AGENDA ITEM. •T .
the ability to use pre recorded emergency messages that allow notifications to begin in
a more expeditious manner.
A wide area notification system (siren) to cover only the Old Town area would require
the installation of approximately 3 towers throughout the Old Town area. The advantage
of a siren is an immediate notification to citizens who are outside and to those who are
able to hear the siren from inside their residence. The disadvantage is not everyone
who hears a siren knows how to react, not all citizens may hear the siren, and a siren
notification to cover the entire city is costly.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The current Reverse 911 system has been purchased through West -Comm. The City
pays approximately $1666.00 for its share of the annual maintenance contract.
The cost of Mass Call is an annual fee of $2500.00 and .20¢ per call.
The cost of a wide area notification system to cover only Old Town is estimated
between $55,000 and $78,000. Each additional tower for example to cover Surfside
Colony will be an additional $15,000 to $32,000. This is a very preliminary estimate
without site acoustic readings and staff believes likely costs could reach as high as
$200,000.
The cost of staff time could be significant if it involves planning for a wide area
notification system, staff time would be needed to research the installation of siren
towers, soliciting bids, approving plans, contracts, and other related tasks.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is requested that City Council provide City Staff with direction in establishing an
Emergency Notification System for the City of Seal Beach. Options include Mass Calling
and wide area notification systems.
Prepared by:
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Tim Olson, Pglice Sergeant
NOTED AND APPROVED:
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Mich - S- rs, Chief of P_. .e
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Joh = .: ahorsk ' ity Manager