$2 Million in Grants Announced for Calif. Telephone Emergency Warning Systems

Governor Schwarzenegger announced December 28th that he is setting aside $2 million from the state's share of fiscal year 2007 Federal Department of Homeland Security grant funds for counties without telephone emergency notification systems to purchase and install them. By prioritizing federal grant funding for programs similar to the "reverse 911" system used in San Diego during the recent firestorm to warn residents, local officials will help implement a statewide alert and warning initiative while improving local emergency response capabilities.

"We must remain vigilant in ensuring we're doing everything possible to prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies," said Schwarzenegger.  "The ability of local and state agencies to provide timely and accurate information to the public about threats and safety instructions before, during and immediately after emergencies is a top priority for my administration.  A warning system that is effective, integrated and comprehensive is critical to saving lives."

The Governor's Offices' of Homeland Security (OHS) and Emergency Services (OES) and other state agencies are working to enhance efforts to develop a statewide alert system.  This funding allocation is designed to work towards that goal.  It is also part of the State's Metrics Program to identify, strengthen and build on our public safety capabilities.

"We always are working on assessing needs and finding grant sources to satisfy those needs.  These grant funds will go a long way toward implementing systems that will protect the public in a variety of emergencies and also help our first responders do their jobs more safely and efficiently," said OHS Director Matt Bettenhausen.

"Coordination among local, state and federal agencies in issuing alerts and warnings is as critical as it is in coordinating fire, law enforcement and other resources," said OES Director Henry Renteria.

Under the allocation, the funding will be available to thirteen counties currently without telephone emergency notification systems. With these funds, the thirteen counties may purchase and install telephone emergency notification systems as well as pay for the first two years of maintenance of the systems. 

The following thirteen counties do not have telephone emergency notification systems and will be eligible for the $2 million in funds: Colusa, Humboldt, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Mendocino, Plumas, San Benito, San Joaquin, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity and Tulare.

Counties will be able to apply for grant funding starting on January 31, 2008.

To date, OES and OHS have allocated billions of funds to California's first responder entities to assist with the prevention of, mitigation against, preparedness for, and response to natural, human caused, and technological disasters.

Since the governor signed legislation last year relating to alert and warning, OES has maximized Federal Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) by initiating a comprehensive project that explores all types of alert and warning options including wireless alerts and text messaging, horns and sirens, the Emergency Digital Information System, the Emergency Alert System, and other non-technological systems.