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Eastvale acquires AM 850 emergency advisory radio to strengthen emergency communications
Summary
City staff told the council that Eastvale has obtained a 10-year FCC license for AM 850 to serve as an emergency advisory radio, with prerecorded and live messaging, quarterly tests, and a portable solar-powered unit to reach residents if modern communications fail.
Eastvale has acquired an AM radio station, AM 850, with a 10-year Federal Communications Commission license to operate an emergency advisory radio that city and county staff say will provide a redundant communications channel in a disaster.
Mary, a representative from the Riverside County emergency management department, told the City Council the station can broadcast prerecorded or live emergency messages in multiple languages, will be tested quarterly for about 30 minutes so residents can confirm reception, and can be heard in vehicles and on household radios. "Eastvale has acquired an AM radio station. We have a 10 year FCC license. Our dedicated radio station for Eastvale is AM 850, and it will be an emergency advisory radio system," she said.
Why it matters: City leaders said the system is intended as a fallback if modern networks fail—phone, internet or cellular—and will let officials distribute instructions, shelter information and safety updates directly to residents. The system includes a portable, rechargeable battery and solar panel so it can operate if power is lost; staff said a permanent transmitter is planned for the top of the new civic center when that building is completed.
Details and council questions: Staff described how the station will play a loop of messages (including Spanish and other prerecordable languages) and noted that the city can either upload specific messages or broadcast live through the equipment. Council members asked about remote access and who may broadcast; staff said the machine requires on-site connection to broadcast and that the license permits city-designated broadcasters. On certification, Mary said she would follow up with a deeper review and provide more detail later.
The presentation also covered community preparedness basics: staff reminded residents to store important contacts and suggested one gallon of drinking water per person per day as a minimum emergency supply. The council did not take formal action; staff said they will return with follow-up information about operational protocols and training.
