As the Apple fire continues to burn north of Beaumont, Cherry Valley, Cabazon, and the Morongo Indian Reservation with very little containment, it is about 10 miles from the Pioneertown area. As a precautionary measure, San Bernardino County Fire has staged strike teams of firefighters in Pioneertown. Pioneertown and Rimrock are under an evacuation warning to ensure that residents are aware of the fire and are prepared to evacuate if necessary. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the county’s Telephone Emergency Notification System, a high-speed notification system that sends mass notifications via telephone and text messages. Reporter Andrew Dieleman has more information about the emergency notification system…
The Telephone Emergency Notification System, or TENS, sends a mass alert to phone numbers in San Bernardino County’s 911 database, allowing public safety personnel to alert residents before, and during, potentially life-threatening emergencies, including wildfires, flash floods, and earthquakes. With the increased use of cell phones over landlines, cellphone numbers must be registered with the county to receive these alerts. To register your number, visit www.sbcounty.gov and click the “Sign Up for Emergency Alerts” icon. Residents who do not have internet access may register by dialing 211 to sign up.
Standardized Evacuation Terminology:
- Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access.
- Evacuation Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.
- Shelter in Place: Go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows. Prepare to self-sustain until further notice and/or contacted by emergency personnel for additional direction.
TENS System:
In an effort to quickly communicate information on impending dangers, the San Bernardino County Sheriff and Fire Departments send high-speed mass notifications via telephone and text messages. This system is known as the Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS).
The County uses a database of landline telephone numbers, which is updated every six months, to send emergency messages to landline phones only. By signing up below, residents can also receive emergency text messages on their cell phones, add voice over internet phone numbers (V.O.I.P.), and manage their own account using a valid email address. Those without internet connections can sign up by calling 2-1-1 or (888) 435-7565.
TENS alerts do not generally go out to the entire County but instead are targeted to affected areas. You must enter a valid San Bernardino County address. This is the address for which you will receive alerts.
Informational Links:
TENS – http://www.sbcounty.gov/sbcfire/tens/tenscontact.aspx
Ready Set Go! Program – https://sbcfire.org/Programs/ReadySetGoFire.aspx
Apple Fire InciWeb – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6902/
Public Information Line: 909-383-5688
For more information, contact County Public Information Officer Tracey Martinez at 909-387-5950 or 909-936-5511.
