'Vague Messages' Sent Throughout Contra Costa County a Technical Error

Release from Contra Costa Sheriff's Office, regarding messages sent during Wednesday's gas leak in Alamo, dated July 25:

This is an update and clarification in regards to the alert that was sent out following yesterday's gas leak in Alamo.

In sending out the alert through the different tools available (to include the Telephone Emergency Notification System, NOAA weather radios and social media), the Contra Costa County Community Warning System (CWS) did not want the alert sent out through the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) System and therefore blocked it.

[Contra Costa County emergency alert service information here.]

CWS typically does not use the WEA because of its inability to reach an audience smaller than the county level and because of its inability to customize the message that goes out. WEA is what sent out yesterday's vague messages countywide.
 
However, because of a technical error on the part of the vendor that we use to send alerts, the alert was inadvertently put out through the WEA.
 
The CWS is working with the vendor to ensure this does not happen again.

[VIDEO: Alamo residents surprised by road closures.]
 
Also, the CWS is fully operational with the upgraded version of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).
       
Jimmy Lee
Director of Public Affairs

Did you receive Wednesday's "vague messages"? Tell us about it.