By Contra Costa County Community Warning System

The Contra Costa County Community Warning System (CWS) is recognized as one of the nation’s most modern and effective all-hazard public warning systems. The CWS is a partnership of the Office of the Sheriff, the Health Services Department, other government agencies, industry, news media and the non-profit Community Awareness & Emergency Response (CAER) organization, all striving to deliver time-sensitive and potentially life-saving information to the people of Contra Costa County.

How will we notify you?

Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

The CWS is designed to provide specific information directly to the media through the Emergency Alert System. The EAS interrupts TV and radio broadcasts to deliver major local, regional, and national emergency alerts. Following the initial alert, TV and Radio stations provide ongoing status reports and information.

The CWS uses a federal system that sends text alerts to your smartphone during major emergencies, no registration needed! Check with your cell phone service provider to see if your cell phone can receive Wireless Emergency Alerts.

Voice, Text, and Email Alert Messages

The CWS is able to send compatible wireless devices voice, text, and email alerts in an emergency.  Unlike with a WEA or EAS alert, you will need to register with the CWS to receive these additional messages. 

Sirens

The CWS may use sirens to alert you to a possible industrial hazard in your area. Sirens are sounded to draw your attention away from your daily activities. When you hear a siren, the best first protective action is to Shelter, Shut and Listen.

Sirens are tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 11:00 am. For the remaining Wednesdays, a more quiet and low-volume “growl” test is performed at 11:00 am. For a siren location map click here.

NOAA Weather Radio

CWS uses the National Weather Service to provide emergency alerts and information for major non-weather related emergencies. Weather radios are an inexpensive and reliable way to receive these alerts. These devices can be battery powered to provide a means of receiving emergency alerts if your power is out. Learn more about NOAA Weather Radios here.

Learn more at https://cwsalerts.com.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 21st, 2026 at 7:42 pm and is filed under Community, Contra Costa County, Fire, Police & Crime. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.