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Be Ready! - Community Warning Systems |
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Preparedness involves steps taken prior to an emergency to ensure actions necessary to respond should an emergency or disaster occur. The resources provided in this page are provided to facilitate that measure. |
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NOAA WEATHER RADIO
NOAA Weather Radio is the primary method for alerting citizens to natural, man-made, and technological hazards in Osceola County. These cost effective receivers should be as common in households and businesses as fire alarms and can be purchased for as little as $25 at common electronic stores. Most of Osceola County is served by the Wolf Lake Transmitter, a project that was initiated and directed by Osceola County Emergency Management
Learn More… · Sample NOAA Message (audio file) · NOAA Weather Radio Home Page · NOAA Weather Radio Purchasing Guidelines
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Osceola County Emergency Management (231) 832-6172 P.O.Box 25, Reed City MI. 49677 www.osceolacountyemd.org |
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Know community warning systems and signals that will alert you of an emergency. Osceola County relies on the following methods. |
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MECOSTA/OSCEOLA COMMUNITY ALERT & NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (MOCANS) by CityWatch
In the event of an emergency, emergency officials may use the MOCANS automated telephone system to provide pre-recorded messages to all telephones within a selected geographic area. Although much like a tele-marketing system, this system is delivering an emergency message with important safety instructions.
Things you need to know about the MOCANS by CityWatch System: · Although MOCANS/CityWatch calls initially sound like a standard telemarketing call, it is vital that you do not hang up on these emergency calls as they are delivering important safety information. These announcements can be recognized by the greeting, “This is an emergency announcement from Osceola County Emergency Services…” followed by the message. · The MOCANS/CityWatch system is used for all types of emergencies to add to, not replace, warnings provided by NOAA Weather radio. The MOCANS/CityWatch system is used for localized warnings to specific areas only and is not useful in all every situation. All citizens and businesses should have a NOAA Weather Radio as their primary warning and information system! · MOCANS/CityWatch system utilizes the pre-assigned 9-1-1 database for community alerts. Although all landline telephones (including unlisted numbers) are included, cellular phones are not able to be added at this time. · If you receive a MOCANS/CityWatch message, please listen to the instructions carefully. The message will repeat if you do not hear it the first time. It is also important that you listen to the instructions carefully and do not call 9-1-1 for other information unless absolutely necessary to do so.
Learn More… · Sample MOCANS/CityWatch Message (audio file)
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EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM & LOCAL BROADCASTERS
Local broadcasters (radio and television) also provide information regarding emergency conditions and instructions. Osceola County provides emergency information to the following television and radio broadcasters via the Emergency Alert System or standard announcement: Radio Broadcasters
NOAA Weather Radio = 162.425-Wolf Lake & 162.525 - Mt. Pleasant WTCM Radio = 103.5 FM WBRN Radio = 109.0 FM & 1460 AM WYBR Radio = 102.3 FM WDEE Radio = 97.3 FM
Television
TV9&10 News = Traverse City / Cadillac TV 7&4 News = Traverse City / Cadillac TV 13 News = Grand Rapids Fox News = Grand Rapids
Learn More… · Emergency Alert System Fact Sheet
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OUTDOOR WARNING SIRENS (City of Evart)
As of March of 2008, only the community of Evart will be officially covered by outdoor warning siren. Citizens in living or visiting that community needs to understand the following regarding siren tones:
<MORE INFO COMING SOON IN EXPANDED BOX>
· The “Tornado” Siren Tone sounds like (<SOON TO BE ADDED>). If you hear this signal, it is being activated for a situation requiring immediate “Shelter in Place” measures. When the siren is sounding, it means that there is an imminent emergency occurring in your area and you need to seek shelter immediately! · If you hear a tornado siren warning, IMMEDIATELY go to your designated safe area and listen to NOAA Weather radio or local radio stations for further information and instructions. · DO NOT go outside to attempt to “see” what is occurring and call 9-1-1 ONLY to report an emergency or request police, fire, and/or ambulance assistance. DO NOT call 9-1-1 for information, instead tune to local NOAA weather radio, television, and/or radio stations for emergency instructions. · The community siren is regularly tested at <time to be added> AND
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EMERGENCY E-MAIL NETWORK
The Emergency E-Mail Network provides a free service to users of e-mail and wireless devices that allows emergency notifications directly to pagers, cell phones, PDAs, etc. The service is free, easy to use, and allows a variety of information available in absence of other alerting systems.
Learn More…
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