AT&T and evacuation routes

To the Editor:

California residents are concerned about AT&T’S proposal to eliminate landline service in many areas, including the majority of Calaveras County. First responders and residents are concerned that this threatens our safety by impacting access to information about evacuations and road closures during emergencies. Many of our communities still do not have access to reliable internet, and often lack reliable cell phone coverage. We applaud the Calaveras Board of Supervisors for expressing their opposition to AT&T’S proposal. Submit your comments expressing your concerns at apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/ A2303003, or emailing them to: public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov. Let CPUC know they should deny AT&T’S application in order to protect the lives of rural residents. You can also visit calaverascap. com/att for more information.

Communication during an emergency is an essential first step to protect life and property. Established and safe evacuation routes are critical, too. With the help of local residents, the Calaveras Council of Governments (CCOG) identified over 750 impediments that need to be removed along the roads most likely to be used for emergency evacuation. However, even though it’s almost a decade after the Butte Fire, the Board of Supervisors has yet to identify official evacuation routes and implement a plan to remove barriers to safe evacuation. Without implementing such a plan, thousands of residents will be at risk when the next emergency happens. The county’s refusal to adopt a system of emergency evacuation routes is among the reasons that the Calaveras Planning Coalition has been forced to challenge the 2019 General Plan Update in court. Tell the board you want them to identify official evacuation routes and implement a plan to remove barriers to safe evacuation, before it’s too late. Send your email to Bosclerk@calaverascounty.gov. Thank you for helping to make Calaveras County a safer place to live.