Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Ray Mueller, District 3
Subject: Subpoena to Pacific Bell Telephone Company d/b/a AT&T California
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing and directing the President of the Board of Supervisors to issue a Subpoena on behalf of the Board of Supervisors to Pacific Bell Telephone Company d/b/a AT&T California to provide testimony and produce documents at a hearing to study actions the County might take to address emergency preparedness in the unincorporated areas of the County, including the coastside, that will be held on March 12, 2024 at 1 p.m. or as soon thereafter as is reasonable.
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BACKGROUND:
The County has a responsibility to engage in emergency preparedness planning under the California Emergency Services Act. Such plans are governed (in part) by Article 6.5 of that Act [Government Code Section 8593, et seq.]. Between 2016 and 2023, there have been multiple bills amending or adding to requirements for these plans.
Among many related emergency planning requirements, the County must describe in its plan its outreach efforts to "prepare communities and individuals to take action in the event of an emergency or disaster." Cal. Govt Code ? 8593.3.2.
Two critical aspects emerge in this context:
First, the ability of the public to call 911 is a paramount service provided by landlines, especially in areas with poor cell service, such as the San Mateo County Coastside and hillside areas. Landlines prove to be reliable during power disruptions, a crucial factor in emergencies where every moment counts. The potential withdrawal of landline services becomes a significant concern, given their resilience during power disruptions that might affect distributed antennas system and network equipment.
Second, the County Department of Emergency Management ("DEM") relies on telephone service for emergency notificat...
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