Public Emergency Information Sources
a. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is the primary mechanism to disseminate life-saving information. EAS messages are also relayed on all NOAA Weather Radio stations and sent county wide. 162.475 MHz
b. Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) is a mechanism to disseminate life-saving information to cellular phones in a specific geographic area. WEA messages are forced onto phones using a unique tone, such as Amber Alerts.
c. PC ALERT is the county’s opt-in public mass notification system, which can be used to warn Pierce County residents of actual or potential dangers. The system is an integrated service that is used to alert a specific geographic area and can be considered to be a reverse E9-1-1 system. It can also be used to send WEA and EAS.
d. PC WARN is the county’s internal communications system, which can be used to notify county employees, cities and towns, law and fire command, schools, health and medical partners, neighboring jurisdictions, and volunteer groups of an emergency or major disaster, and/or the activation of the EOC. ARES members receive activation notices via Everbridge
e. The National Warning System (NAWAS) is the primary system used by the federal and state government to disseminate warnings. South Sound 9-1-1 is the primary warning point for Pierce County. The PC EOC is the secondary warning point.
7. ARES monitor District 5 Net and Central Team Subnet for status updates.
8. Federally Designated Emergency Broadcast Stations: KIRO(710 AM), KOMO(1000 AM), FPLU (88.5 FM), KIRO (97.3 FM).
