Spring Mountains Property Owners to Receive Free
Radios as Part of Hazard Communications Project
Volunteers from several local organizations will help Clark County program new all-hazard weather radios that will soon be available to property owners in the Spring Mountains as part of a project to improve emergency communications throughout the 316,000-acre national recreation area.
The volunteer assembly-line effort starts at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, in the county’s telecommunications yard located across the street from the county’s automotive shop at 4421 Stephanie St., off East Flamingo Road near Horeseman’s Park. The goal is to program 2,000 radios to receive weather information and emergency alerts transmitted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service (NOAA). The radios will be distributed to property owners in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area starting in September during National Preparedness Month. Organizations involved in Friday’s effort include the Nevada Civil Air Patrol, Boy Scouts and the local offices of the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross.
“The Spring Mountains are a haven for residents and visitors alike, but conditions can change very quickly due to weather, fires and other hazards,” said Clark County Commission Vice-Chair Chip Maxfield, who represents part of the area. “Senator John Ensign’s office was very instrumental in helping us get funding to improve emergency communications in the area. These radios will be an important tool in spreading the word to households and public venues about any hazardous conditions that occur.”
To receive a radio, recipients must own property within the Spring Mountains and agree to keep the unit on site. The eligible communities include Mount Charleston, Lee Canyon, Cold Creek, Kyle Canyon, Mountain Springs, Trout Canyon, Lovell Canyon and Coal Springs. Staff from the County Office of Emergency Management will distribute radios to property owners on Saturday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Mount Charleston Library, 1252 Aspen Ave., in Kyle Canyon, and Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Mountain Springs volunteer fire station, 21 State Route 160. Radios also will be available for pick up on the 6th floor of the Clark County Government Center from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15-Tuesday, Sept. 30. After Sept. 30, radios will be available through appointment with the Office of Emergency Management, 455-5716.
Another element of the project is the purchase of a new Internet-based emergency notification system called “MyStateUSA,” which is expected to be activated this fall and will allow subscribers who live in the Spring Mountains or visit them to receive emergency alerts to their cell phones and e-mail devices.
“The MyState USA notification system will be another valuable tool for anyone who lives in the Spring Mountains or visits the area,” said Clark County Commissioner Susan Brager, who also represents the area. “If you go on a day hike, you can sign up to receive alerts through your cell phone, and then opt out of the system when you return home.” Both programs are part of the Spring Mountains Early Warning System program dubbed “Mountain Ready.”
Clark County received a federal grant to develop the program in cooperation with several agencies, including the Weather Service, U.S. Forest Service, Clark County Fire Department, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada Fire Safe Council, Nevada Division of Forestry, Red Cross, and the Nevada Broadcasters Association.
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