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Resident raises concerns about reverse 911, Moffat Alerts and reliance on Facebook after recent fire
Summary
A Craig resident told commissioners he and many neighbors did not receive a reverse 911 alert about a nearby fire, criticized reliance on a cell-only alert system and Facebook, and urged the county to ensure contracted dispatchers are properly trained.
During public comment at the Aug. 12 Moffat County Board of County Commissioners meeting, Craig resident Michael Lawson told commissioners he and his neighbors did not receive reverse 911 warnings during a recent fire and said the county’s emergency notification approach relied too heavily on cell-only alerts and Facebook posts.
“I didn’t know about Moffett Alerts, so I am signed up for that, but there's something very disturbing about that. It only takes cell phone numbers,” Lawson said. He told commissioners that many county residents use landlines or lack cell service in remote areas and therefore would not receive those alerts. He also said dispatchers are a contract service and that, according to his conversation with the sheriff’s office, the contractor performs much of the work but a final step to send reverse 911 was not completed.
Lawson said he was also told that an all-clear message following the incident was issued to Rio Blanco County rather than Moffat County, causing confusion for residents. He urged the board to ensure contracted dispatchers are properly trained to send emergency alerts and to develop communication methods that reach residents without cell phones or reliable internet access.
The chair thanked Lawson for his comments; no formal board action was recorded during the meeting on the topics he raised.
