EPIC-FSC Partners with Calabasas to Ensure Critical Communications During Disasters
ECHO enlists amateur radio operators to relay information from the city’s emergency operations center (EOC) directly to residents.
CALABASAS, Calif. — Emergency Preparedness In Calabasas, a Fire Safe Council (EPIC-FSC), in collaboration with the City of Calabasas, has unveiled a plan to “ensure residents receive vital information during emergencies, even if power, Internet, and cable TV services are down.”
The plan “comes in direct response to the communication challenges faced during the Woolsey Fire, where many residents were left in the dark, literally and figuratively,” according to the announcement.
“During the Woolsey Fire, our community was thrown into chaos,” says Norm Goodkin, EPIC’s communications architect. “Residents were literally in the dark. Without specific evacuation orders, the whole city was evacuated. Residents didn’t know where the fire was and what routes to take.
“After an initial ‘get out of town’ reverse 911 call, residents didn’t have a way to receive information,” he says.
EPIC’s Emergency Communications for Home Occupants (ECHO) was created in response to these communication failures. It enlists the expertise of amateur radio operators to relay information from the city’s emergency operations center (EOC) directly to residents.
To further enhance this communication network, EPIC is distributing battery-operated radios to every home that requests one. These radios, purchased by the city, are distributed and supported by EPIC, with training provided by Los Angeles County disaster communications volunteers.
Adobe Stock image by Daniel Beckemeier.
Why EPIC-FSC Launched ECHO
“Community is our greatest strength,” says Calabasas Mayor Alicia Weintraub. “I am thrilled that the City of Calabasas has another tool to keep residents even more informed during an emergency. With just 5 minutes of training, all residents will have access to the most up to date emergency information. EPIC’s dedication to safeguarding our city is a testament to the strength and unity of Calabasas.”
The city’s AM radio system is now supplemented by an amateur radio station strategically placed on a hilltop overlooking our beautiful town. Coverage tests conducted by ECHO’s amateur radio operators have confirmed that the signal reaches all 15 evacuation zones, providing clear reception with the handheld radios.
These radios also operate on family radio service (FRS) channels, enabling residents to communicate with their neighbors.
In a disaster, amateur radio operators will broadcast verified information from the EOC to residents and relay messages from residents back to the EOC. This two-way communication system allows residents to provide information from across Calabasas, which can then be confirmed.
ECHO’s impact is set to expand beyond Calabasas, with plans to cover L.A. County’s entire Third District. This expansion will involve amateur radio operators in every city’s EOC, CERT teams, and direct communication with the Los Angeles County Disaster Communications Service.
To further enhance communication capabilities, EPIC is introducing amateur radio email relay stations to provide digital communications both inside and outside affected areas.
Amateur radio operators, utilizing a combination of personal equipment and grant-purchased radios, are establishing networks capable of handling voice and data communications. These operators also relay messages using high-powered high-frequency radios, ensuring communication across southern California, independent of the Internet, cell towers, or telephone lines.
To support the community in engaging with this critical infrastructure, EPIC conducts amateur radio licensing classes and offers training on digital data communication systems.
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