SAN ONOFRE BEACH News & Recreation

January 27, 2010

SC Times

Vol. 5, Issue 4, January 28-February 3, 2010

By Norb Garrett

San Clemente’s City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 2, will discuss how best to respond to a faulty emergency alarm siren that sounded last week and frightened sleeping residents. The alarm, one of 19 in the city and part of a network of 52 sirens in a 10-mile radius of the nuclear plant built to alert residents in the event of an emergency at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station or a tsunami, sounded at approximately 4:30 a.m., prompting numerous calls to 9-1-1 and sending some residents scrambling for their cars. Residents flooded the city with calls and emails, and city officials reacted quickly. The city’s Emergency Planning Officer Jen Tucker is coordinating a response to improve communication in the event of faulty alarms in the future. Additionally, Southern California Edison—which operates SONGS—is working with the city to help avoid future problems.

“Southern California Edison agrees with residents who have expressed concern that more public information is needed if a false alarm occurs,” said SCE spokesman Gil Alexander. “SCE is already working with local media outlets and community emergency response personnel to develop a faster, more comprehensive approach to public communication about false alarms.”

Some residents responded by signing a petition being circulated by San Clemente Green. The petition calls for city officials to demand that three key requirements be met by SONGS: Population preparedness for false alarms, shelter and evacuation plans; safety performance issues to be thoroughly resolved and proven over time and investigate claims of flawed and outdated mechanical systems.

“San Clemente Green is sending an S.O.S. to our elected leaders to protect us from what we believe is a disaster waiting to happen,” said Gary Headrick, founder of San Clemente Green.

The City Council meeting starts at 6 p.m. on Feb. 2 in City Council Chambers at City Hall (100 Avenida Presidio).