The City of Sonora's
Newsletter
Sonora, California
March, 2010 Vol. 38, Issue 1
Message from your fire department
Cell Phones:
It seems that more and more people are becoming dependent on cell phones. As I drive around the city, I see people talking, viewing and/or sending text messages on their cell phones. When we respond to emergency incidents it is not uncommon for people to tell us they do not have a stationary (land based phone) in their residence and they are using their cell phones as their primary phone. With advances in technology more people are changing over from land based phones and becoming dependent on wireless communications.
The downside of the new dependence on wireless communications is the procedures commonly used to summon emergency assistance: the 911 emergency phone system. You may or may not be aware that when you call 911 on a wireless devise, your call is answered out of this county by the California Highway Patrol. At the onset of the cell phone craze, most 911 calls were vehicle related. Given the recent trend to replace our landlines with wireless devises, this may or may not be the case when you dial 911. You may need assistance at your residence or place of business and our response may be delayed because of the need to determine your location and transfer the 911 call to the proper jurisdiction.
The land based 911 system is designed to identify the location of the caller, record the callback number and is normally answered within the local jurisdiction that provides emergency services. If you are using a wireless devise to summon help to your residence or business, it is our recommendation that you enter the seven digit phone number for your local police, sheriff and fire dispatch centers into your wireless devise and save them as speed dialed numbers. The seven digit emergency numbers are available in your local phone books or within Tuolumne County are as follows:
Sonora Police Department: law enforcement, fire and ambulance: 209-532-8141
Tuolumne County Sheriff: law enforcement, fire and ambulance: 209-533-5815
Special Needs:
Emergency responders attempt to help those in need. The recent snow storms we had in the Mother Lode have been a blessing for some and a hindrance to others. If you or your loved ones are dependent on electricity to run equipment that assists with your breathing or other ailments, the recent storms most likely caused you some concern and/or problems. It is our recommendation that if you have special needs, contact your local fire department (the department that serves your area) and provide them with your name, address, phone number and a general description of your special need.
In January, Mi Wuk Village was without power for several days. It became apparent that there were citizens that were without heat and/or home oxygen generators. Unfortunately Mi Wuk Fire, County Emergency Services nor Red Cross could help all those in need, simply because they did not know where the needs were. Attempts were made to advertise the availability of portable oxygen tanks and warming shelters, but some of the residents did not hear the public service announcements because of a lack of battery operated radios or other communications devises. It seems that some residents do not have land based phones that plug directly into the wall. A cordless phone is dependent on electricity and will not work during a power outage. Whether you use an older phone that plugs directly into a wall plug or not, you should keep one in storage for use in the event of a power outage.
During this incident it became apparent that we need to maintain a data base of those with special needs. Help us help you! Contact your local fire department and provide them with your special needs information so that they can come to your assistance during your time of need.
Coming this spring/summer is phase two of City Watch, a system that sends out emergency notifications by phone as directed by the County Office of Emergency Services. During phase II, the county will create a database that is accessible online for cell phone users to register their cell phone numbers for activation in the event of an emergency using the City Watch system. This system can reach both local residents as well as out of county home owners by calling their cell phones in the event of an emergency of a magnitude that would warrant the use of this type of system.
Mike Barrows,
City of Sonora Fire Chief