Following a public safety summit with Loma Prieta residents in which they shared their concerns, Supervisor Simitian put forth a proposal for County Administration and County Counsel to identify actions to ensure the effectiveness of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) order regarding the reliability of wireless service for County residents in Tier 2 and Tier 3 High Fire Threat Districts. The rule includes 72-hour backup power requirements to ensure a minimum level of service and coverage in fire-prone areas.
Significant portions of Santa Clara County are designated as fire-prone, or Tier 2 and Tier 3 High Fire Threat Districts, including the Santa Cruz Mountains, from roughly Summit Rock in the north to just past Mount Madonna in the south including the Loma Prieta/Summit area, New Almaden, and portions of Los Altos Hills, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Los Gatos, and the East Foothills.
While the CPUC has required wireless companies to develop comprehensive resiliency plans to ensure necessary planning and network investments are made to maintain service to customers during a disaster or power outage or shutdown, residents report consistent wireless communication outages.
