The Community Warning System (CWS) enables the Office of the Sheriff to alert the public of Contra Costa County to hazardous materials accidents and other emergencies that pose an imminent threat to human life or health.  The CWS uses sirens, radio and TV broadcasts, targeted telephone call-outs . . . and now, alerts to cellular telephones.

Members of the Office of the Sheriff, their families and friends, and everyone who lives or works in Contra Costa County are invited to register their cell phone number and the ZIP code areas for which they'd like to receive these (infrequent*) alerts.  Simply go to <http://cws.cccounty.us/> and enter your cell phone number and zip code selections.  Then check to accept the Terms of Service and click "Submit."  To change or cancel a cell phone registration, simply submit new selections using the same form.

You can get more information by emailing cwsstaff@so.cccounty.us or by calling the CWS office at (925) 313-9622.  Please help us spread the word about this important improvement in public warning capability for Contra Costa County.”

* Last year the CWS was activated 11 times for a variety of emergencies, but because most of those alerts were very localized most of us never heard from the system at all.