Communication During Emergencies

Los Altos Hills Communications for Earthquakes and other Emergencies

Method

Description

Emergency Alerts – Alert SCC

 Alert SCC is the Santa Clara County version of the Los Altos Hills Nixle   notification system and can send out countywide notices. It is the Primary emergency alert system for Los Altos Hills and can also send you information about what is happening in other cities in the county. Go to www.alertscc.com to register your cell phone. IMPORTANT: AlertSCC notification system gives you an option to register email addresses.  Be sure to CREATE a CONTACT for AlertSCC with an email of noreply@everbridge.net so that notification emails don’t go to your spam folder & edit the contact so that it will override a Do Not Disturb setting.

Emergency Alerts - Nixle

Nixle is the Town’s emergency notification system used to provide emergency warning, updates and instructions to the community. The system sends messages to all landline phones. Cell phones must be individually registered with the system. Text your zip code to 888777 to add your cell phone OR http://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/emergencyalertsignup OR Go to http://www.nixle.com  IMPORTANT: Nixle gives you an option to register email addresses.  Be sure to CREATE a CONTACT for Nixle with an email of no-reply@emails.nixle.com so that notification emails don’t go to your spam folder & edit the contact so that it will override a Do Not Disturb setting.

Facebook

The Town has Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor.com accounts.  Information will be posted if the internet is available. You do not have to have a Facebook account to monitor this page. Simply go to the link https://www.facebook.com/TownofLosAltosHills or https://twitter.com/TownofLAH

Radio Station KFJC 89.7 FM

KFJC is the Foothill College radio station and will be used to provide information updates during emergencies or when phones are not working. KFJC broadcasts safety information at the top of the hour and on the half hour.

Download iPhone app to listen from your phone or listen online at www.kfjc.org or tune in to 89.7 FM.

Ham Radio

Ham radio is the only communication method that has never failed in a disaster. There are over 130 ham radio operators in Los Altos Hills. All can communicate with the Town if other methods fail. All ham radio operators are encouraged to register with the town as volunteer communicators.

Freq. 146.745-110.9 or simplex 147.435 http://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/157/Emergency- Communications

Town Website

The Town’s website can post information if the internet is available. Go to www.losaltoshills.ca.gov and click on “Emergency” at the top of the page. Then click Emergency Info – and - 

Þ Be ready for emergencies by reading emergency preparedness information on the website now. Click “Emergency” and find “Safety Library”

Radio Station

KCBS 740 AM & 106.9 FM

Alternate radio station for countywide information. Will not provide town-specific information as often as Foothill College KFJC radio. Listen on the internet at http://kcbs.radio.net

CERT – Community Emergency Response Team

The Los Altos Hills Community Emergency Response Team is trained by the Fire Department to help the Town during emergencies. They have direct communication links to the Town. During major emergencies, you may see them walking through neighborhoods wearing green hard hats and green CERT vests or establishing a command post at Foothill College in the parking lot.  Register for CERT training by calling 408-808-7800 or email cert@sccfd.org

                                                      Personal Communication Methods

 Cell Phone

Do not use telephones after major emergencies, UNLESS YOU HAVE A LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY. Making

routine calls may overwhelm the phone system and prevent people from being able to call 9-1-1. Communicate with family and friends via TEXT.

Out of Area Contact

When local phone systems (cellular and landline) are overloaded and unreliable during major emergencies, long distance calls may be the best way to communicate with family and friends. Designate a person who lives at least 200 miles away to be your family out of area contact. Have everyone in your family call that person and use him/her as your message center.