MADERA COUNTY – In light of the major wildland fires the county experienced last summer, expectations for another long hot summer, and the serious drought conditions we have been facing, Sheriff Varney says it is imperative for all people who live or work in Madera County – especially those in the foothills – to register or update their information for emergency contact.
The County’s Emergency Alert System, also known as MCAlert, allows residents to update their personal profile or register from the comfort of their homes using the website www.mcalert.org.
MCAlert is used to notify and update residents regarding emergency evacuation during the fire season, and Sheriff Varney says this is fastest way to get the word out.
“Deputies will still come to advise residents but that takes time,” says Varney. “By signing up, you will help keep everyone in the community safer including our deputies and firefighters.”
MCAlert is also used in the event of other natural disasters such as floods and severe weather, and for locating missing persons, through Amber or Silver Alerts when necessary.
The system is free and Sheriff Varney is urging everyone who has not yet signed up, to do so before May 1 so they can participate in the county-wide test. Varney is also placing booths at store fronts and public events for people to sign up and/or update their profile. Community Service Officers and Citizens on Patrol will be at the booths to help the community sign up.
Date, times and locations for these events are listed below:
Sheriff Varney also encourages residents to check out Cal Fire’s Ready for Wildfire website www.preventwildfireca.org for tips regarding getting ready for wildland fire season and evacuation prep kit information.
Varney reminds people to remember the six “P’s” during evacuations, a quick check-list of what to bring with them:
• People and Pets
• Papers, Phone Number and Important Documents
• Prescriptions, Vitamins, and Eyeglasses
• Pictures and Irreplaceable Memorabilia
• Personal Computers Hard Drives and Disk
• “Plastic” (Credit Cars, ATM Cards and Cash)
Madera Sheriff’s Office Headquarters
14143 Road 28 | Madera, CA 93638 | Phone: (559)-675-7770
Oakhurst Substation
48267 Liberty Drive | Oakhurst, CA 93644 | Phone: (559)-642-3201
Dispatch Center: 1-800-560-4911
Mariposa County residents can sign up for their alert system at:
http://www.mariposacounty.org/index.aspx?NID=82 or by texting your zip code to 888777
