Early Detection, Communication and Warning Systems

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
St. Charles County Division of Emergency Management has various communications, detection and warning systems to support major emergencies and disasters, within the St. Charles County Emergency Operations Center and remote backup locations. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is a dedicated facility that meets or exceeds Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements. The County EOC and equipment was 50% funded by FEMA grants, as well is maintained and managed under federal funding assistance and maintenance programs. Creative financing has also been provided by major industries. The communications capabilities allow for radio coordination with local, state and federal agencies, during and after a major disaster. All EMD communications systems are designed to operate on local control or through radio links avoiding the vulnerability associated with telephone line interconnection. See EOC Radio Communication Room.

St. Charles County EMD radio communications systems are classified under two basic types of systems, governmental public safety radio systems and amateur radio emergency communications systems. The systems support all hazards/risks efforts to protect the public against the impact of natural or manmade disasters. These systems were used during various severe weather emergencies and disasters, such as during the Great Flood of 1993!

EMD GOVERNMENTAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
St. Charles County Division of Emergency Management owns and maintains a high band VHF radio repeater system that provides mobile and portable communications throughout St. Charles County. It is one of the best communication systems for countywide mutual aid, disaster operations and warning systems. The EMD VHF repeater system, operating on 155.835 MHz, supports field communications during all phases of major emergencies. The EMD VHF repeater system is also an integral component of countywide warning systems (i.e. warning sirens, school plectron receivers) activation. Both the repeater system and remote receiver sites are equipped with emergency power for continuous operation in the absence of commercial power. This system also supports the EMD volunteer pager system, which is utilized for the activation of the staff and severe storm spotter volunteers.

County EMD maintains back-up radio base station equipment to support emergency services, in the event of primary equipment failure at a dispatch center, within St. Charles County. The St. Charles County Emergency Operations Center is designated as a back-up answering point on the St. Charles County 9-1-1 emergency system.

The St. Charles County EOC maintains an FEMA Operation Secure radio system for interagency communications and coordination with the Missouri State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), located in Jefferson City, MO, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This system operates on federally designated disaster operations radio frequencies and is capable of supporting both voice and radio teletype communications. The system allows for communications with the Missouri National Guard, when activated to support disaster operations, within St. Charles County, MO.

County EMD maintains radio systems in operational readiness for communications with the U. S. Coast Guard, Missouri Water Patrol, St. Charles Sheriff's Department, Highway Department, Humane and Environmental, Sheriff's Department, municipal law enforcement agencies, fire and EMS agencies. Aviation communications are available to coordinate with disaster operations.

EMD AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
St. Charles County Division of Emergency Management maintains a number of amateur radio systems to support the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) program, as well as the volunteer efforts of the St. Charles County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). There are over 400 licensed Ham Radio operators within the County, with 80-100 directly affiliated with Emergency Management. During the Great Flood of 1993, Ham Radio operators were highly significant to our efforts to save lives, property and minimize injuries. They are vital to not only disaster operations, but maintenance and upkeep of equipment.

St. Charles County EMD maintains two meter wide area coverage amateur radio repeater, which has a output frequency of 145.490 MHz. This radio repeater system is dedicated to ARES and RACES communications, associated with storm spotting and other official missions of St. Charles County EMD, where the assistance of amateur radio communications is required to support response and recovery efforts. All St. Charles County amateur radio systems are equipped with emergency power to assure operation, after loss of commercial power. All systems and remote sites are linked via radio links, and without reliance on wireline interconnection.

The St. Charles County Emergency Operations Center is fully equipped to support amateur voice communications on 160 meter through 70 centimeter amateur radio bands.

The Emergency Operations Center is also equipped with amateur digital communications systems, maintaining digital packet radio bulletin board systems accessible on 145.070 MHz in the two meter amateur band and also from a designated frequency in the 70 cm amateur band. The EMD digital packet systems allow for the relay of priority, as well as health and welfare messaging from designated sites during major emergencies and disaster. The EMD digital packet radio system is best utilized for secure health and welfare messaging. The system is capable of sending vital radio traffic to and from the State Emergency Management Agency by digital packet radio for the county or it's municipalities, when telephone services are disrupted after an earthquake.

All hospitals within St. Charles County have installed special dual band 2 meter and 440 meter amateur radio base antennas to support disaster communications by Ham Radio operators with the County Emergency Operations Center or other emergency dispatch centers. This was totally funded by the hospitals, in the event that normal telephone service fails from a technical emergency or natural disaster. Either voice or packet radio communications equipment and a licensed Ham Radio operator can be deployed to the hospitals, from the Division of Emergency Management.

EARLY DETECTION SYSTEMS - ST. CHARLES COUNTY
The overall success of St. Charles County Emergency Management Agency's (EMD) ability to warn the public is derived from outstanding partnerships with the local National Weather Service (NOAA), City Law Enforcement Agencies (Warning Points), critical facilities and major industries. It is the result of the outstanding support of the St. Charles County Government for which none of the current technical capabilities within the County Emergency Operations Center would have been possible. It is the result of highly dedicated EMD Staff and Ham Radio (SKYWARN) volunteer trained spotters. The trained spotters are deployed by the Emergency Operations Center to various critical spotter locations, ahead of approaching severe thunderstorms to protect the public. It is the result of proactive preparedness programs, within St. Charles County that encourages preplanning and exercising that will save lives and reduce injuries associated with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

The partnership with the National Weather Service allows for direct Ham Radio communications with NWS Office during severe weather, so that critical information or spotter reports can be quickly exchanged to support early detection and warning systems. The National Weather Service, with the assistance of amateur radio clubs, activates a regional Ham Radio (SKYWARN) net on 146.670 MHz, which is monitored by the St. Charles County Emergency Operations Center. The County Division of Emergency Management provides an coordination point to alert Ham Radio net control operators to report to the local National Weather Service.

The St. Charles County Emergency Management Agency activates countywide (SKYWARN) trained spotter radio networks on 145.490 MHz and public safety radio on 155.835 MHz to support local early detection and warning systems. This also alerts the dispatch centers concerning the approaching thunderstorm, spotter deployments and Emergency Operations Center activation. This is accomplished by radio paging of staff/volunteer radio pagers and activation of special radio receivers within all local dispatch centers. Partnerships with these public safety agencies encourages emergency road personnel to also report significant spotter information to the Emergency Operations Center over 155.835 MHz (Civil Defense) frequency.

The St. Charles County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) conducts the local spotter radio network on 145.490 MHz, from the County Emergency Operations Center. They are annually trained by the National Weather Service in Basic and Advanced Weather Spotting. Critical information received within the county from fire, law enforcement, EMS or Ham Radio spotters is quickly relayed by Ham Radio to the National Weather Service on 146.670 MHz. Early detection promotes efficient early warning! It saves lives and reduces injuries associated with severe thunderstorms or tornadoes!

STORM SPOTTER SYSTEMS - ST. CHARLES COUNTY
Through the use of volunteer amateur radio operators and EMD volunteers, St. Charles County EMD is able to get visual observations of approaching storm systems which may impact the county. All volunteer storm spotters are trained in either basic or advanced storm spotting through course sponsored jointly by St. Charles County EMD and the National Weather Service.

Volunteer storm weather spotters are deployed to pre-designated spotter locations with known visibility to approaching storms. Radar systems within the County Emergency Operations Center aid in deployment of spotters. Weather spotters report only significant weather activity, such as heavy rain, flash flooding, high winds, hail (size) and intense air to ground lightning. They report suspicious cloud formations which may indicate the potential formation of a wall cloud, funnel aloft or tornado. Local trained spotter reports and National Weather Service broadcasts are the basis for county warning system activations. County spotter reports are relayed to the Emergency Operations Center by Ham Radio over special radio repeater systems built and maintained by EMD and amateur radio volunteers. Significant information is immediately relayed by the Emergency Operations Center by Ham Radio to the National Weather Service regional office, in Weldon Spring.

NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER WIRE

SATELLITE DOWNLINK
The St. Charles County Emergency Operations Center is equipped with a special NOAA Weather Wire satellite downlink, which provides timely weather products directly from National Weather Service Offices throughout the region. The weather wire feed is interfaced directly with the EMD's Emergency Information System (EIS) computer network, to provide immediate severe weather bulletins which could potentially impact the county. River stages on many local rivers are also broadcast over the weather wire system on a daily basis, or more frequently as conditions warrant.

Critical weather information is immediately disseminated to all emergency dispatch centers and agencies that have the same Geographic EIS computer system. Dissemination is by either by telephone modems or by wireless digital radio communications to emergency services throughout the county. Reports are received within seconds. See Emergency Information System.

EOC DOPPLER RADAR SATELLITE FEED
St. Charles County Division of Emergency Management utilizes Doppler weather radar images via satellite (WSI Pilot Brief) feed from the National Weather Service to track the progression of severe weather events across the county. The use of Doppler radar aids St. Charles County EMD in placing amateur radio spotters at best and safest visual locations to the incoming severe weather cells. Other weather information available through the Doppler radar satellite feed include local, regional and national radar imagery, satellite imagery, vendor generated weather maps, winter storm mosaic imagery, surface observations and local/statewide weather forecasts.

EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS - ST. CHARLES COUNTY
Population protection systems within St. Charles County are enhanced by the St. Charles County Division of Emergency Management's proactive early detection and warning systems. Early detection enhances early warning. The following early warning systems exist, or have been developed within St. Charles County, under the coordination of the St. Charles County Emergency Management Agency, with the support of the St. Charles County Government, Law Enforcement Agencies or School Authorities.

CRITICAL FACILITIES WARNING SYSTEM
The St. Charles County EMD Critical Facilities Warning System is an indoor warning system delivering selective area warning to over 120 facilities in St. Charles County. Through the support of St. Charles County Government, tone activated warning receivers have been placed in all public and private school facilities in St. Charles County. Placement of warning receivers in school facilities provides protection to nearly 55,000 students and staff for some 93 schools. Even school bus transportation depots receive timely weather advisory messages from the County Emergency Operations Center regarding impending severe weather and hazardous driving conditions, which might impact the safe or timely transportation of students. Receivers are also placed in hospitals, senior centers and several disability centers, where early warning may be necessary to safely relocate patients and/or residents to designated tornado take-cover locations.

Tone activated warning receivers have also been placed in municipal warning points (police dispatch centers), which activate outdoor warning sirens within their cities. Law enforcement fire and EMS dispatch centers have been equipped with the same receivers. These special receivers aid in the coordinated activation of outdoor warning sirens with other warning points and dissemination of critical information throughout the county. All warning receivers utilized in this system are equipped with battery backup to maintain operational readiness, when commercial power is disrupted during thunderstorms.

Commercial facilities including nursing homes, daycare centers and major industrial complexes are highly encouraged to participate in the EMD Critical Facilities Warning System. They can obtain information regarding cost and specifications by calling 949-3023.

The St. Charles County Critical Facilities Warning System is tested weekly on Wednesdays at 10:00 am on a school district basis and on the first Monday of each month at 9:00 am on a all call basis.

OUTDOOR WARNING SIREN SYSTEMS
With the continued support of the St. Charles County Administration and the St. Charles County Council, the Emergency Management Agency has installed 13 outdoor warning sirens in key locations throughout St. Charles County. The County Outdoor Warning System provides warning coverage not provided by over 40 existing municipal warning sirens; other high risk and population areas without any protection. Locations have been selected for siren placement based upon overall vulnerability to both natural and technological events and population density. Sirens have broadcast capability to support hazardous material emergencies, major flooding or after action broadcasting following an earthquake or major disaster. See Warning Siren Coverage areas.

During 1997, four more outdoor warning sirens will be installed within St. Charles County. Further, St. Charles County Emergency Management will be working in partnership with municipalities to encourage coordination and updating of existing siren equipment to be compatible with state-of-the-art technologies. This will greatly aid public safety by coordinating outdoor warning efforts, such that either the municipality or the St. Charles County Emergency Management Agency can activate the sirens upon early detection of a tornado.

The County EMD outdoor warning sirens are designed to operate without commercial power, with internal battery charging systems. All systems are equipped to feed specific siren operational data back to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) after the siren has been activated. This feature allows EMD staff to detect siren system malfunctions or deficiencies, during monthly tests. Preventative maintenance diagnostics can be conducted remotely to determine problems without needing to fully activate the siren during these repetitive tests. All County warning sirens are radio controlled, eliminating vulnerabilities associated with telephone line controls. Radio communication systems have primary and backup site capabilities to support countywide emergency situations.

St. Charles County EMD plans to install approximately 60 sirens in both unincorporated and incorporated areas of the county over the next several years. With the rapid growth in population, commerce and industry is the need to keep pace with population protection.

County Outdoor Warning systems are currently installed in the following areas:

1. Augusta near Fifth & Public Streets
   
2. Castlio Elementary School near Dingledine Road
   
3. Cottleville on Hwy N near Round Tower Drive
   
4. Defiance near Hwy 94 South on Fifth Street
   
5. Foristell South of Hwy 70 nar Hwys 70/T/W Overpass
   
6. Heritage Subdivision on Heritage Landing near Gettysburg Landing
   
7. New Melle at Hwy D & Z intersection
   
8. Orchard Farm near Fire House
   
9. Portage Des Sioux at Water Plant
   
10. St. Peters near Park Charles Subdivision and Rose Marie Court
    
11. Twillman near Mamelle Hills Subdivision along North Hwy 94
    
12. Twin Chimneys Elementary School on Hwy N in O'Fallon
    
13. West Alton at Hwy 94 North & Hwy 367

Proposed new siren sites for 1997 are, as follows:

1. St. Peters South Hwy 94 along Jungs Station Road or Caulks Hill Road near Hwy 94 South
   
2. Wentzville Hwy P near Flinthill
   
3. Zumbehl area near Bogey Road and Country Club
   
4. Weldon Spring near O'Fallon Road and Guttermuth Road South 94 area

St. Charles County Outdoor Warning Systems are tested on the first Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m.

We hope that funding will be available sufficient to install 4 to 5 sirens per year, until outdoor warning siren installations catch-up with the high growth in populations.

CIVIL EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (CABLE TV OVERRIDE SYSTEM)
Through a cooperative agreement with TCI Cablevision of Missouri, St. Charles County Division of Emergency Management provides early warning information to County residents via the Civil Emergency Alert System (Cable Television Emergency Override). The Cable Television Override allows the County Emergency Management Agency to interrupt programming on the two TCI owned cable television distribution systems in St. Charles County providing timely warning information to cable television subscribers.

Cable override activations can be identified by the interruption of normal cable programming, following by an audible warble tone. Video on all cable channels will be removed for a short duration of the audible emergency broadcast. We are in the process of encouraging cable television networks to allow for a scroll along bottom of the screen to address the needs of the hearing impaired.

The Civil Emergency Alert System / Cable Television Override System is tested on the first Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m.

EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS)
(FORMERLY EBS EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM)
St. Charles County Division of Emergency Management has direct access to radio broadcast stations in the St. Louis operational area to disseminate critical warning information.

Multiple computer fax capabilities exist within the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to simultaneously disseminate critical warning information to all area radio broadcast and television stations.

Should telephone circuits be out of service, the Emergency Operations Center maintains a direct radio link to KMOX-AM, 1120 KHz, the primary EAS station for the St. Louis operational area. All broadcast stations in the St. Louis are required to monitor KMOX for potential EAS activations.

Monthly tests are conducted between the St. Charles County Emergency Operations Center and the KMOX-AM broadcast facility.

NOAA WEATHER ALERT RADIO
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
NOAA Weather Radio, which is maintained and operated by the National Weather Service, serves as both an important early detection and warning system. St. Charles County Emergency Management Agency relies in part, on information supplied by NOAA Weather Radio, as a basis for activation of the weather spotter system and to place the Emergency Operations Center into an increased readiness mode.

NOAA Weather Radio in the St. Louis Metro area is broadcast on a frequency of 162.55 MHz. NWS broadcasts continuous weather information 24 hours per day. Special weather alert radios, which activate upon issuance of severe weather watches or warnings, are available from several retail electronics outlets. St. Charles County EMD highly encourages county residents to have a weather alert radio that is equipped with battery backup in their homes. Local business and industry should also consider installation of the same. Call the National Weather Service or County EMD for more information.