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Emergency Preparedness Committee briefs council on AM 1680 emergency radio; proposes protocol, training and message library
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Summary
EPC Chair Craig Heber and member Ray Rothrock updated the council on Portola Valley's AM 1680 travelers'information station (a low-power FCC-licensed TIS), described operational resilience features (portable Pelican case, remote uploads, battery backup) and outlined next steps: a usage protocol, operator training, a prerecorded message library and promotion.
Craig Heber, chair of the Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC), and EPC member Ray Rothrock briefed the council on the town's AM 1680 travelers'information station, describing its emergency-role, technical features and a staff-proposed work plan to expand operations and outreach.
"AM radio has proven to be a good backup communication route," Heber said. "It's a megaphone when all other communications fail." He outlined that AM 1680 has been operating since 2013 as a low-power, FCC-licensed travelers'information station and that it transmits recorded and live messages 24/7. He noted the equipment can be remotely controlled and that a portable Pelican-case unit exists so the station can be deployed from alternate locations if Town Hall is unusable.
Ray Rothrock described system details and operations: the transmitter and antenna are sited near Town Hall, the station can be received on conventional AM radios and via an Internet stream on the town's emergency preparedness page, and the unit supports remote message uploads and restarts. He said the current message is a general visitor-oriented script provided by the vendor and that Woodside Fire has assisted with message changes when events required it.
Heber outlined four next-step categories: (1) finalize a protocol that specifies who may change messages and when (e.g., town manager, designated EPC members, Fire District or sheriff for certain events); (2) define operations and identify personnel to record and load messages; (3) build a library of prerecorded messages for predictable, non-emergency events (targeted for Q3 2026); and (4) promote the resource so residents know how to access the station during weather or town events. He proposed staff review and committee training schedules and indicated the EPC has a draft protocol ready for review.
Councilors asked operational questions: storage and backup, whether the unit has battery power (Rothrock said a portable battery system is available), and coordination with county emergency-messaging consultants (EPC said it will consult the county's emergency messaging guidance). Council members raised outreach concerns for older residents (noting that some might need assistance to tune AM in), and EPC pointed to local CERT and amateur radio volunteers who would support outreach and operation.
No formal council action was taken; EPC requested review of its draft protocol and indicated it will return with more operational detail.
