The El Segundo Community Alert System was established in May 2003.The purpose of the radio station is to provide the community with emergency news and information directly from the public safety officials of the City of El Segundo.
The El Segundo Community Alert System is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on 1040 kilohertz (1040 AM) and was issued a call sign of WPWA 745 in October 2002.
Operating on 10 watts from a central location in El Segundo, the low power AM radio station is designed to provide traffic safety, weather, and emergency information to the community on 24-hour basis.nnThe system began operation in May 2003 and is a self-sufficient, battery back-up assisted station.
In an emergency, the El Segundo Community Alert System is subject to interruption and may be overridden by the Emergency Alert System features built into the system.These features are designed to provide emergency news and information using Los AngelesCounty automated warning systems and do not require manual activation.
Experience has shown that following a major emergency or disaster, emergency resources can quickly be depleted.The community may need to know what actions to or not to take and stay put.The Community Alert System is designed to provide the community with specific instructions for Shelter-in-Place, post earthquake instructions, major road closure and detours, and other critical information in real time.
Individuals in their homes, businesses and neighborhoods may have to be self-reliant up to the first 72 hours.The radio station can be programmed to tell the community what is really happening, what emergency actions to take, and other vital information of interest to the community. The radio system will also be used to activate the City’s C.E.R.T.Team Members, Amateur Radio Operators, and other critical resourcesof the city’s Office of Emergency Services (OES).
Alert System
In an emergency or other urgent condition (i.e., hazardous materials incident, earthquake, etc.), the El Segundo Police Department's Communications Center staff may activate the flashing warning beacons, which are located in the at 700 block of Sepuveda Blvd (south), and near the intersection of Rosecrans and Sepulveda Blvd (north). The radio system can be activated by a number of field staff, field incident commanders, and the Emergency Services Coordinator. The system can play a recorded message to alert the public of various situations: Shelter-in-Place; Severe Weather Warning; Tsunami Warning; Traffic and Road Closures.
Please keep your vehicle radio, and other portable AM Radios tuned to AM 1040
The radio station is also tied into a number of regional, state, and national warnings systems.
NOAA/National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Alerts
The National Weather Service may issue a severe weather advisory, flash flood warning, or flood watch using the Emergency Alert System (EAS) function.When such warnings are issued, the County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department EAS System will override the normal programming for up to hours.The community will be provided with live weather bulletins and emergency information for the duration of the event.
Emergency Alert System - EAS
The Emergency Alert System – EAS is the official emergency warning system for the United States. EAS is managed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff in conjunction with local media affiliates who determine whether to broadcast warnings on local television and radio stations. When an EAS bulletin is aired via television, radio and the National Weather Service, you should immediately turn to any one of the 3 emergency alert systems on the AM dial:
1.1040 AM
2.980 AM KFWB
3.1070 AM KNX
You may be instructed to take immediate action such as evacuation, shelter-in-place, or to remain where you are for the duration of the event.
Amber Alert System
When an Amber Alert is broadcast locally, the EAS System will override normal programming of the El Segundo Community Alert System.
