I truly believe that the alert system is failing big time.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/31 ... etail.html

Couple Who Died Did Not Have Land Line, Never Signed Up For Cell Phone Notification Calls


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I have to admit when I first started working on this site, I had no IDEA that you had to sign up for alerts when they talked about emergency alert notification calls. After helping with scanner issues and listening to scanners and 911 calls. I have seen the operators be rude, take things on themselves that they should not along with some wonderful and amazing things as well. And I have seen and heard officials say and use actions that say to me that the residents need to take it upon themselves to know when to leave. But the problem is, that the public does not know that. Or at least not all of them. The cities and counties have not taken liability. But what they NEED TO DO, and I believe this in my heart, is get the frickin word out. I believe that these people do heroic things every day, I am not disputing that. I understand that no one wants to make them feel unappreciated for those efforts but people died in every single fire this year and I have been watching this from afar. I think they are missing that vision because they see it a bit too close. I feel strongly that this needs to be looked at, and stop with the worry about liability. I understand some may not want to discuss this but I think it is time. If you cannot rely on the word getting out in the middle of a fire in another way and gates are locked when the officials are out trying to find people or there is not enough time to even do that, then the system needs work. The counties now are relying on the internet but not everyone has the internet and the mountains are going to be the places where you find a few of these people, some are up there to get away from technology. The city and counties need to do a better job of getting the word out about policy before there is an emergency like what happened this year. Like If you smell smoke consider getting out now, or make sure you know where to go for help. I believe there is not a clear plan in place. And I heard two 911 calls this year that gave me chills. They were not handled right.

The temps are going up again the time is now. If any of you are part of meetings with these county officials or know someone that goes to these planning meetings, I encourage you to talk to them about this important issue. Or contact them by letter or email. I am sorry but I truly see this as a major issue, I monitored the police scanner in each fire situation this year, especially in the north fork fire, there is already confusion in a fire but I believe that even with the heroic efforts these people are making every time there is a fire, something better could be done about getting the word out and we have to do it NOW before there is another fire.

My apologies if this offends anyone that is not my intention I have been feeling this way for a while. I see that all but one of the fatalities were older than 60 and I just wonder if the way they are getting the info out there (internet, social media) is letting some fall through the cracks. I am worried and lives are just too precious. Let's work together and fix this. I truly believe that residents are confused and they, we, etc. should get a marketing campaign together and get the word out in a organized way even if it has to be door to door. And I believe this site could help. we have the email system and I know for a fact it has alerted people that would not have known otherwise but more can be done.

Respectfully, Cinnamongirl

How is the county supposed to get the information? I've seen blurbs on the news stations and in the newspaper. If people cancel their landline and go with only cell phones, they have to realize the risk they're taking - They're abandoning a hardwired system for radio waves.

I'm amazed that the county took on something like emergency alert notifications - for just this reason. It's a good system but relies on lots of input. If someone doesn't give their information, it's the county's fault.

they could have spared themselves a huge headache and just installed big-assed loudspeakers.



Except then someone wearing headphones would miss the call and claim it's insufficient.

Some counties, like Larimer County, also send out email alerts to subscribers.

The best insurance I've found is to subscribe to many different alert services for my area. If one doesn't get through, another will.

My thought is, there is a reason we have sirens in an emergency because the internet is not enough. I am thinking of signs on the side of the road? I am trying to think of something creative. I personally think that accepting that not enough is being done is a first step.


Edited to add- and when I say get the word out I mean let residents how important is is to watch and listen if they smell smoke. And that the officials might not let you know when to leave it is up to YOU to decide. I truly believe from what I have seen and heard that residents are relying on something from the officials that is not going to happen. That family that barely got out in the north fork was a perfect example.

My land line has the bare minimum on it but I still have it.

Unless the cell system gets better we will always have it. When Waldo was going on many people could not make cell calls at the system was to jammed up.

CG good point. Not sure how to get the message across. We have been visiting several in my mother's neighborhood to make sure they are ready in the event of fire, if they work, have pets at home, etc. Surprised that some don't know about signing up. The word is not getting out.

We talked to one neighbor and asked them if they would need any help in the event of a fire. Surprisingly they don't want to sign up for emergency alert notifications and don't want any help from the fire dept. What?? That's a new one. I did mention that if they refused help it might affect their insurance and any payment to them. They aren't planning on leaving unless they decide they want to and they feel more confident in staying, within reason, to save their home themselves. They are not at all confident based on previous fires that the fire department would act quickly enough or be able to stop break ins. I asked them what they would do if they didn't have elec. Apparently they have a back up plan for that. One of the few who seem ready to deal with whatever comes their way.

Knowing the people in the neighborhood and what their circumstances are will certainly help determine who to help and how in the event of an emergency.

It would be an expense for the fire dept, but since they send a flyer out every so often anyway, a large message to sign up that doesn't get lost in all the other print might be of help?

HappyCamper wrote: My land line has the bare minimum on it but I still have it.

Unless the cell system gets better we will always have it. When Waldo was going on many people could not make cell calls at the system was to jammed up.

We also have DSL, so a "land line" if you will and can get and receive calls on our cell phone that way.

I feel sorry for those folks who live down long, winding drives, out of sight of the road. The fire department night think twice about driving in there and getting caught. It's hard to schlep water very far. Luckily, we don't and our driveway is adequate for a large fire truck (I know that from experience).

Raees wrote:

HappyCamper wrote: My land line has the bare minimum on it but I still have it.

Unless the cell system gets better we will always have it. When Waldo was going on many people could not make cell calls at the system was to jammed up.

We also have DSL, so a "land line" if you will and can get and receive calls on our cell phone that way.

I feel sorry for those folks who live down long, winding drives, out of sight of the road. The fire department night think twice about driving in there and getting caught. It's hard to schlep water very far. Luckily, we don't and our driveway is adequate for a large fire truck (I know that from experience).

Yep that whole gated community where family lives has many homes with long driveways. Guess they will just ignore all of them. That would make the family who doesn't want any help happy.

And how about those on Conifer Mountain with up and down long or windy driveways. Guess they will ignore them too.

Yet the Building Dept approved them and they pay the same taxes for fire dept. service.

I don't have my cell phone registered, yes I know I should. I just haven't yet.

Registered

I don't think it's the Fire Departments duty or responsibility to notify residents- or to evacuate property owners. I would not want to see our taxes go up to pay for yet another multi-million dollar alert system. I want to see them stick to their core functions and not get over-extended by taking on all kinds of other functions.

The fire department's job - is to put out fires.

They have their hands full just doing that. I also do not want the Fire departments sticking their fingers into our building codes, zoning laws etc.. and dictating to property owners that they need to have a 20,000 gallon systern before they will approve a new deck or garage addition.

This has been going on now for the last several years- fire departments going well beyond their original mandated purpose.

They seem to be doing more and more of this sort of stuff- becoming a nuisance to property owners and the result is many lost construction jobs. I can't tell you how many stories I have heard that start with "all I wanted to do was add a carport" or "all I wanted to do was add a small deck, but I wont because they want me to do $23,000 worth or other work un-realted to my deck.

Look- the alert system is just icing on the cake, it's nice to have it but we can also do without it. It's each property owners responsibility to evacuate themselves in an emergency- if you are counting only on the government for these services you might well be sorry you ever did. Your job is to evacuate- their job is to put fires out.

If you are the type of people who require these services- please get yourself a nice little place in Highlands Ranch, and do it soon.

You don't belong in the mountains.

I have lived up here for 35 years now- and I have also been listening to fire frequencies for that long. Things like fire alarms, phone system notifications and even evacuations are very recent developments. The way it has worked in the past was extremely effective- we have some of the best volunteer departments in the state.

It's every property owners right to protect their own property- and not be ordered to leave if they do not want to. I was very disappointed to hear land owners being ordered off their own land during the recent fires. It's every property owners responsibility to take the proper measures if a fire comes near your area- be self aware and/or get out.

There are plenty of ways even the most private hermit can use to inform him/herself if a dangerous fire is in your area.

Don't wait to be told to do anything- that's your job!

I only hope that the Fire departments will stick to their only real job- and that is fighting fires.

That said- if someone is in a car accident- in trouble and trapped or missing in a fire, this is the job of rescue personnel, but unless it's an emergency- evacuating is OUR job.

Everything else is our responsibility. Please do not try to change our very effective and long standing tradition of our local volunteer fire departments- and turn them into big city type bureaucracies.

People who can not handle our traditional way of addressing these community needs should move out- go back to the city where you belong, the threat of a wildfire is very low in the city.