What is the Community Warning System?
The Contra Costa County Community Warning System (CWS) is recognized as one of the nation’s most modern and effective all-hazard public warning systems. CWS is an all-hazards system designed to alert the community of an emergency through multiple communication tools.
How is the CWS funded?
CWS is funded through fees collected by Contra Costa County Health Services Department from hazardous materials facilities throughout Contra Costa County.
Who activates the system?
For “All Hazards” emergencies throughout Contra Costa County – The CWS system is activated by the CWS staff on behalf of law enforcement agencies, fire departments and other agencies in case of imminent threat to life or health.
The CWS system can automatically be activated by refineries, on behalf of the Contra Costa County Health Services Department in the event of a hazardous materials release.
What types of incidents is the CWS activated for?
CWS can be used for any situation in which there is an imminent threat to life safety or health. Some examples of common types of emergencies the system is activated for are: hazardous materials incidents, law enforcement activities, missing persons, gas leaks, human caused disasters, etc. The CWS may also be used to advise affected members of the public when follow-up action is required.
What types of incidents do NOT generally warrant the use of the CWS?
The CWS will NOT be activated for public communications that:
- Do not require specific and immediate protective actions to be taken by the public.
- Could be effectively delivered by other means.
- Are commercial or political in nature
- Are not authorized by a responsible public safety official.
Examples of such incidents are: major traffic delays, hazmat incidents that are contained to the facility (no off-site impact, as determined by CCHS), threats to property, general information.