As we enter the hottest months of the year, fire danger is high. I want to offer some useful online alert programs and other ways to access time-sensitive information in our area.
San Mateo County has an emergency alert system called SMCAlert which will send you an email or text message regarding urgent or emergency situations in the county. This site also lets you sign up for other Bay Area county alert programs. Explore or sign up here. Separately, Portola Valley uses a Rapid Notify Alert System which allows you to receive voice messages (not texts). You can sign up here. Note you do not need to be a resident of Portola Valley to access this service. And lastly–and really a treat for the Emergency Services junkie–see FireDispatch, a local company which publishes live streaming audio on their website from country dispatch radio transmissions.
Let me also suggest that you and your family update your emergency communication tools, as well as have a family discussion about what to do in case of an emergency. We want to ensure that all of our patients and neighbors have a safe and happy summer!
Dr. Eric Weiss
