PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: June 15, 2026
Subject: Community Warning System (CWS) Update
Submitted For: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Department: Office of the Sheriff
Presenter: Lorena Herrera, CWS Manager
Contact: Enid.Mendoza@cao.cccounty.us
Referral History:
The development of a multi-language capability for the Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) and Community Warning System (CWS) had been under Board of Supervisors Internal Operations Committee review since 2000, with oversight transferred to the Public Protection Committee (PPC) in 2008. Early updates from the Sheriff's Office and Health Services (2008-2011) highlighted ongoing federal rulemaking, regional SUASI planning efforts, and the continued absence of practical technology to support local multilingual emergency notifications.
Following the 2012 Richmond Chevron refinery fire, the Board established an ad hoc committee to examine CWS and Industrial Safety Ordinance issues, though the PPC retained responsibility for the multilingual-capability referral. The PPC received reports on system updates in 2015 and 2016, including review of the County's contract with AtHoc, Inc., a full-service alert and warning company specializing in fixed siren systems and emergency notification systems, which was integrated into the existing TENS referral to provide coordinated oversight.
No updates occurred between 2017 and 2023, though the PPC continued the referral due to ongoing interest in multi-language capabilities and CWS system performance. In March 2024, the PPC terminated the TENS component of the referral and moved the CWS-contract portion to the Industrial Safety Ordinance/Community Warning System Ad Hoc Committee. Later in August 2024, the BOS approved, in its response to the Civil Grand Jury, continuation of assignment of all emergency response planning, including CWS issues as a whole, to the Emergency Services Policy Board, which also serves as the County's Disaster Counci...
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