I.  PURPOSE

1. To establish and maintain a countywide warning capability on a 24-hour basis. To receive and communicate timely warnings to appropriate officials and to the general public concerning actual or potential emergency/disaster conditions.
2. To develop and maintain a communications network capable of supporting countywide disaster operations which uses all available public and private communications systems within the county.

1. Eddy County's primary communications system is composed of commercial telephones, cellular telephones, and two-way radio systems in use by many jurisdictional functions (police, fire, roads, etc.). The primary south Eddy County warning point is the Carlsbad Police Department, telephone 911. For north Eddy County, the warning point is in the Artesia Police Department, telephone 911. Both are manned 24-hours a day, have emergency power and can receive and disseminate warning information throughout the county.
2. The Sheriff's Department and the State Police department operate separate dispatch centers, which are manned on a 24-hour basis. Each of these dispatch centers can receive and disseminate warning information to its respective departments and also possess limited capability to relay warnings throughout its jurisdiction.
3. Artesia has a siren-based warning system with limited capability to warn city residents with voice messages as well. This system has electrical backup at all sites and is actuated at the Artesia Fire Station.
4. A countywide Emergency Alert System utilizes FCC mandated commercial broadcast capabilities to override local radio station broadcasts. Two of the cooperating stations (KATK 92.1 FM and KTZA 92.9 FM) have backup power systems and this system is actuated at the Carlsbad Police Department.
5. A system for announcing warnings over primary cable television channels is available via dedicated telephone lines to TCI Cablevision in both Artesia and Carlsbad.
6. The National Weather Service NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts provides weather forecasts and issue weather Watches and Warnings. Most local media rebroadcast these warnings. A county-owned repeater located in Carlsbad rebroadcasts the continual forecasts and weather alerts. Citizens in the southern part of Eddy County who purchase receivers are able to receive these messages. The National Weather Service is also capable of issuing hazardous materials accident warnings over their radio frequency.
7. Citizen band, amateur radios, and two-way radio systems belonging to the various private utilities and major corporations (telephone, cable TV, electric, natural gas, etc.) may be used to backup the existing communications networks under emergency conditions.
8. Backup warning capabilities depend upon non-EAS radio and television broadcasts, mobile sirens, mobile PA systems, horns and other devices for warning and disseminating information.

1. Communications capabilities are a vital part of any response / recovery situation.
2. The general public must be warned of hazards.
3. An effective disaster warning system has great potential for saving lives and reducing injuries.

A.  Warning

1. Notification of hazardous situations/potential disasters may come from a number of sources. These sources include private citizens, responding fire, police, or public service personnel, the National Warning System (NAWAS), the "Weather Wire" of the National Weather Service, major news wire services, state or federal agencies, industries, and utilities.
2. The National Weather Service in Midland, TX issues severe weather warnings and watches for Eddy County via NOAA Weather Radio.
3. The National Warning Center may issue warnings of potential peacetime disasters but its main purpose is dissemination of wartime enemy attack warnings.

B.  Warning Dissemination

1. Fire, law enforcement, and emergency management officials are responsible for initiating warning procedures in accordance with standing operating procedures. Who initiates the warning is dependent upon the responding agency, but the decision must be approved by the senior officer on duty.
2. Depending on the characteristics of the emergency/disaster and size of the population in the area threatened, one or more of the facilities and techniques listed in the "Situation" section above should be utilized.
3. Whenever possible, warnings should be made in Spanish as well as in English.
4. The handicapped, hearing impaired and elderly must be notified by special means. Bilingual "crawl" messages on television must currently be initiated by the broadcast stations. Door-to-door notification is the most readily available method for notifying these special populations. Radio and TV broadcasts should ask those persons knowing hearing impaired, handicapped, and elderly, to make individual contact.

 
C.  Communications
 
1. The dispatch centers for each jurisdiction will act as the primary communications hub during emergency situations.
2. During emergencies, all communication systems (two-way radios, telephones, and public broadcasts) may be used to coordinate the response.
3. Mobile units of utilities and corporations may be tasked to report damage, needed assistance and other information pertinent to the situation. In extreme emergencies companies will be tasked to provide 24-hour operation.
4. Amateur radio operators will be organized to assist jurisdictions during a disaster or emergency. A statewide network has been established to allow amateur operators access to the Santa Fe EOC in the event of an emergency situation.

D.  Communication Protection

1. Most existing emergency response organizations are capable of operating without normal electrical power.
2. Arrangements have been made with the telephone companies to place the highest priority on maintenance and restoration of service to the Emergency Operating Center, functional control centers, and other vital facilities.

1. Each jurisdiction's chief law enforcement officer (or his designee) will serve as its Communications and Warning Officer.
2. Each jurisdiction's dispatch center will notify its fire, law enforcement and emergency management officials in the event of a disaster.
3. Multi-jurisdictional events must involve notification of all responsible agencies and will be coordinated as outlined in Annex A.

1. Each jurisdiction is responsible for maintaining its warning and communications systems.
2. Each police and fire department is responsible for establishing standing operating procedures for the use of its warning systems, vehicle sirens and loud speakers for notification purposes.

1. Responsibility for maintaining and updating this annex rests with the jurisdiction's Communications and Warning Officer.
2. This annex will be updated as needed and reviewed annually.
3. The annex will be exercised at least annually in accordance with the exercise schedule as presented in the preparedness section of this document.