By Blake Herzog, The Desert Sun
Original publication date: April 25, 2011

Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert are offering homeowners’ associations a direct link to officials in case of an earthquake or other massive disaster.

Both have handheld radios available for sale to HOAs, directly connecting residents to local emergency operations centers to report injuries, damage or other information.

This allows victims to contact the city more quickly and allows officials to assess where rescuers should be sent.

The programs were established about two or three years ago but function slightly differently.

Rancho Mirage had an unused signal repeater on top of Indio Hill, which Doug Bornstein, vice chairman of the city’s emergency preparedness commission, suggested could be dedicated for emergency communications.

Fifty-seven of the city’s roughly 120 HOAs are participating in the program, and about half of those participated in the most recent practice drill this month, he said.

“With those 50-some HOAs we are reaching 90 percent of the people,” he said, with participation from Mission Hills, the Springs and other large communities.

HOAs can buy the radios for less than $200. They are specially tuned to the correct frequency and left with a resident in charge of maintaining them and relaying information during a disaster.

Rancho Mirage is believed to be the only Coachella Valley city with a separate emergency preparedness commission, which sponsors other activities including Saturday’s Emergency Preparedness Expo at the city library.

“You can choose to bury your head in the sand, or you can choose to be proactive and prepare yourself,” said Fred Sanchez, chairman of the commission. “Rancho Mirage chooses to be proactive and try to help its citizens be proactive.”

Palm Desert has purchased a frequency from local radio provider Anderson Communications, and gated communities can buy a radio for $438.

Palm Desert Risk Manager Gary Rosenblum, who makes emergency preparedness presentations throughout the city, said the radios serve more than one purpose.

“We’re asking gated communities to get organized as a team within their gates, so they can prepare as best they can and take responsibility for taking care of themselves, in case we can’t get there right away,” he said.

In that city, there are nine participating gated communities out of more than 30, but like in Rancho Mirage they include many of the largest ones: Bighorn, Indian Springs, Marrakesh and others.

For information on the programs, contact Rancho Mirage City Hall at (760) 324-4511, and contact Palm Desert City Hall at (760) 346-0611.

Posted with permission of the Desert Sun.