Coos slide knocks out some phone services
Written by Charles Kocher, Pilot staff writer May 03, 2011 11:06 am
A landslide in Coos County destroyed two miles of Frontier Communications fiber optic line late Monday night, interrupting some long distance and cellular services as far south as Brookings.
The Frontier cable was cut about 9:30 p.m. by the slide along Highway 42, east of Coos Bay, but there are no highway traffic alerts for that area.
Frontier officials said crews have been working all night to string a temporary line, and expect repairs to be completed by mid-day Tuesday.
Local phone, high speed internet and emergency services are not impacted. Both Frontier and the Curry County Sheriff's Office said 911 calls were not being affected by the outage.
Cell services were interrupted, the company explained, because some cell services are routed from their towers into the fiber optic network.
Watch for a complete report in the Wednesday, May 4, edition of the Curry Coastal Pilot.
Showing posts with label 911. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 911. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Don't wait until the power goes out again - the Curry Pilot
http://www.currypilot.com/20100120114569/Opinion/Editorials/Dont-wait-until-the-power-goes-out-again
January 20, 2010 01:09 pm
Imagine a time when there was no such thing as Internet, e-mail, ATM and credit cards, cell phones or 911 service. Now think back further to a time when they was no electricity – no TV, refrigerators, electric heaters or water pumps.
How did people survive without such amenities?
Many Curry County residents found out Sunday as power went out from Port Orford to the California border for eight to 12 hours.
All it took was high winds – which are forecast to continue through Friday.
While Brookings-Harbor and the surrounding area escaped the brunt of the storm physically, individuals and businesses throughout the region found themselves unable to connect to the Internet, use e-mail, cell phones and fax machines. Shoppers had to use cash and write checks because ATM and credit card machines were inoperable.
Here at the Curry Coastal Pilot we couldn’t e-mail news alerts or post important information on our Web site for our readers. It was frustrating, to say the least.
We were also alarmed to hear that, during Sunday’s power outage, many motorists were not stopping at unlit intersections, placing other motorists in mortal danger. Oregon state law states that all interections where traffic lights are inoperable are to be treated as four-way stops.
This week’s series of storms is showing just how vulnerable we and our technology are to Mother Nature’s malevolence. It’s important that we have the means to survive, for days if necessary, without power, Internet, cell phones and our credit cards.
This means having enough food, water, first aid kits, candles, batteries, flashlights, blankets, gas in the car and cash. If you don’t have these things, get them now before the power goes out again.
This wasn’t the first major storm of winter. It won’t be the last.
January 20, 2010 01:09 pm
Imagine a time when there was no such thing as Internet, e-mail, ATM and credit cards, cell phones or 911 service. Now think back further to a time when they was no electricity – no TV, refrigerators, electric heaters or water pumps.
How did people survive without such amenities?
Many Curry County residents found out Sunday as power went out from Port Orford to the California border for eight to 12 hours.
All it took was high winds – which are forecast to continue through Friday.
While Brookings-Harbor and the surrounding area escaped the brunt of the storm physically, individuals and businesses throughout the region found themselves unable to connect to the Internet, use e-mail, cell phones and fax machines. Shoppers had to use cash and write checks because ATM and credit card machines were inoperable.
Here at the Curry Coastal Pilot we couldn’t e-mail news alerts or post important information on our Web site for our readers. It was frustrating, to say the least.
We were also alarmed to hear that, during Sunday’s power outage, many motorists were not stopping at unlit intersections, placing other motorists in mortal danger. Oregon state law states that all interections where traffic lights are inoperable are to be treated as four-way stops.
This week’s series of storms is showing just how vulnerable we and our technology are to Mother Nature’s malevolence. It’s important that we have the means to survive, for days if necessary, without power, Internet, cell phones and our credit cards.
This means having enough food, water, first aid kits, candles, batteries, flashlights, blankets, gas in the car and cash. If you don’t have these things, get them now before the power goes out again.
This wasn’t the first major storm of winter. It won’t be the last.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Oregon Emergency Management is planning for future
Statesman Journal column
October 28, 2009
The 911 emergency call system has been around so long that many take it for granted. But there is more to the 911 system that we should know.
There are 50 911 call centers across Oregon. They are called Public Safety Answering Points, and equipment connects to the local telephone exchange carrier. PSAP equipment must be upgraded about every five years.
Oregon Emergency Management is responsible for coordination of the PSAPs and the 911 call-taking equipment and is looking ahead to the needs of Oregonians in the future. During the next few years as equipment is scheduled for upgrade or replacement, OEM is making sure that all equipment is "next generation capable." This means that when this new complex network is available, we will be able to not only call 911, but also text message the PSAPS.
During the Virginia Tech shooting, students sent texts to the 911 center not knowing that they were not getting through. This system is going to be valuable in getting emergency messages to the PSAPs faster and more effectively during different types of emergencies.
Jennifer Bailey, formerly of FEMA, is the public affairs coordinator of Oregon Emergency Management. She may be reached at (503) 378-2911, Ext. 22294 or jbailey@oem.state.or.us.
October 28, 2009
The 911 emergency call system has been around so long that many take it for granted. But there is more to the 911 system that we should know.
There are 50 911 call centers across Oregon. They are called Public Safety Answering Points, and equipment connects to the local telephone exchange carrier. PSAP equipment must be upgraded about every five years.
Oregon Emergency Management is responsible for coordination of the PSAPs and the 911 call-taking equipment and is looking ahead to the needs of Oregonians in the future. During the next few years as equipment is scheduled for upgrade or replacement, OEM is making sure that all equipment is "next generation capable." This means that when this new complex network is available, we will be able to not only call 911, but also text message the PSAPS.
During the Virginia Tech shooting, students sent texts to the 911 center not knowing that they were not getting through. This system is going to be valuable in getting emergency messages to the PSAPs faster and more effectively during different types of emergencies.
Jennifer Bailey, formerly of FEMA, is the public affairs coordinator of Oregon Emergency Management. She may be reached at (503) 378-2911, Ext. 22294 or jbailey@oem.state.or.us.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Statesman Journal OEM column June 24
June 24, 2009
It's important to be prepared.
All areas are vulnerable to any type of disaster.
The recent thunderstorms and tornado watch was another disaster preparedness wake-up call. Will we pay attention? Will we be ready to care for ourselves when the power goes out and the roads are closed?
It is sometimes difficult for people to understand the importance of being prepared for disasters even though we wouldn't think of living in a home without a smoke detector.
Here are four statements I hear regularly — did any of these come from you?
"If something happens, all I have to do is call 911" — during a major disaster, help is limited and can only get there so fast. Roads often are blocked.
"All I need is a 72-hour kit with a flashlight, some food and water and a radio" — 72 hours is the minimal amount of time you need to be self-sufficient. Two or more weeks would be better.
"Good preparedness is too expensive and too complicated" — If you can't afford to purchase a ready-made kit, purchase one or two items each week with your regular grocery shopping.
"Nothing really bad ever happens here" — You may have noticed that in the past few years, Oregon has had more and more disasters. No area is immune. Consider the possibilities of flood, earthquake, chemical spill, school shooting, thunderstorms, terrorist attack, snow storm, landslides, etc. Any of these could cause you to be isolated at home for several days.
Remember, there will always be someone needier than you and the more prepared you are, the more you free up resources so they can help those less fortunate.
Jennifer Bailey, formerly of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is the Public Affairs Coordinator of Oregon Emergency Management. She may be reached at (503) 378-2911, Ext. 22294, or jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Additional Facts
Learn more
Send questions about emergency preparedness to be answered in this column to jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Other information may be found at www.oregon. gov/omd/oem or www.fema.gov.
It's important to be prepared.
All areas are vulnerable to any type of disaster.
The recent thunderstorms and tornado watch was another disaster preparedness wake-up call. Will we pay attention? Will we be ready to care for ourselves when the power goes out and the roads are closed?
It is sometimes difficult for people to understand the importance of being prepared for disasters even though we wouldn't think of living in a home without a smoke detector.
Here are four statements I hear regularly — did any of these come from you?
"If something happens, all I have to do is call 911" — during a major disaster, help is limited and can only get there so fast. Roads often are blocked.
"All I need is a 72-hour kit with a flashlight, some food and water and a radio" — 72 hours is the minimal amount of time you need to be self-sufficient. Two or more weeks would be better.
"Good preparedness is too expensive and too complicated" — If you can't afford to purchase a ready-made kit, purchase one or two items each week with your regular grocery shopping.
"Nothing really bad ever happens here" — You may have noticed that in the past few years, Oregon has had more and more disasters. No area is immune. Consider the possibilities of flood, earthquake, chemical spill, school shooting, thunderstorms, terrorist attack, snow storm, landslides, etc. Any of these could cause you to be isolated at home for several days.
Remember, there will always be someone needier than you and the more prepared you are, the more you free up resources so they can help those less fortunate.
Jennifer Bailey, formerly of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is the Public Affairs Coordinator of Oregon Emergency Management. She may be reached at (503) 378-2911, Ext. 22294, or jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Additional Facts
Learn more
Send questions about emergency preparedness to be answered in this column to jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Other information may be found at www.oregon. gov/omd/oem or www.fema.gov.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Top Twelve Myths of Disaster Preparedness
Myth Number 1:
If something happens all I have to do is call 911
Help can only go so far, or be there so quickly. Security, like charity, begins at home and the responsibility for your family's safety rests on your shoulders. This isn't to say that you shouldn't call for help when it's truly needed, it's to remind you that you may be on your own for awhile, especially if the situation is an expansive, or severe one.
Myth Number 2 - tomorrow
If something happens all I have to do is call 911
Help can only go so far, or be there so quickly. Security, like charity, begins at home and the responsibility for your family's safety rests on your shoulders. This isn't to say that you shouldn't call for help when it's truly needed, it's to remind you that you may be on your own for awhile, especially if the situation is an expansive, or severe one.
Myth Number 2 - tomorrow
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Cost of being unprepared
I'm finding it difficult to convince individuals and families of the importance of being prepared in advance for a disaster. This is especially difficult during the summer months when the weather is nice, school is out and vacations are planned.
Oregon has been fortunate that we haven't had many terrible disasters, but that is no reason to be apathetic to the dangers and possibilities. Just because you haven't had a house fire doesn't mean you would go without a smoke detector, does it?
I am so passionate about this because I spent six years with FEMA traveling from disaster to disaster all over the country. I have SEEN the unprepared. I have talked to them while they are crying. I spoke to one woman on the phone in Mississippi who was in terrible need but no one could get to her because all road and bridges were destroyed and we were out of helicopters. She wasn't prepared to take care of herself for even a few days.
No matter what you may think of or hear about FEMA as an agency, just remember that those on the ground were doing the best they could with what they were given. The first responders have to prioritize. There are not enough of them to go around. If you can take care of yourself and your family for at least 3 days (72 hours) or more, not only will you be more comfortable, but you will really help your community by not being a burden. The 911 call centers will be overrun, possible down. Power may be out, cell phone too. Please take this small step and get a kit together of the most necessary items and put them in one place.
If you are like me and busy and/or too lazy (me again) to make a kit, order one online. There are many companies out there. Google emergency kits. I have ordered from www.quakedog.com/emergencykits72 and have found their kits to be reasonable and well made.
I could and may tell you many stories about my years with FEMA if it is the only way to get you to understand. There is the possibility here of earthquakes, thunderstorms, floods, chemical spills, terrorist attacks, school shooting, bombings, snow storms, tsunamis, fires, and more. Don't think that just because we haven't had some in the past, we won't have them in the future. Our Katrina is coming. Please be prepared.
Oregon has been fortunate that we haven't had many terrible disasters, but that is no reason to be apathetic to the dangers and possibilities. Just because you haven't had a house fire doesn't mean you would go without a smoke detector, does it?
I am so passionate about this because I spent six years with FEMA traveling from disaster to disaster all over the country. I have SEEN the unprepared. I have talked to them while they are crying. I spoke to one woman on the phone in Mississippi who was in terrible need but no one could get to her because all road and bridges were destroyed and we were out of helicopters. She wasn't prepared to take care of herself for even a few days.
No matter what you may think of or hear about FEMA as an agency, just remember that those on the ground were doing the best they could with what they were given. The first responders have to prioritize. There are not enough of them to go around. If you can take care of yourself and your family for at least 3 days (72 hours) or more, not only will you be more comfortable, but you will really help your community by not being a burden. The 911 call centers will be overrun, possible down. Power may be out, cell phone too. Please take this small step and get a kit together of the most necessary items and put them in one place.
If you are like me and busy and/or too lazy (me again) to make a kit, order one online. There are many companies out there. Google emergency kits. I have ordered from www.quakedog.com/emergencykits72 and have found their kits to be reasonable and well made.
I could and may tell you many stories about my years with FEMA if it is the only way to get you to understand. There is the possibility here of earthquakes, thunderstorms, floods, chemical spills, terrorist attacks, school shooting, bombings, snow storms, tsunamis, fires, and more. Don't think that just because we haven't had some in the past, we won't have them in the future. Our Katrina is coming. Please be prepared.
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