Good News -- Emergency Response Improvements!
The new and greatly-improved and computerized County-wide 9-1-1 Emergency Response System is now up and running in the Southwest Shore Colony! Our Colony’s recent adoption of road names, installation of road signage, and assignment of each one of the cabins to one of the roads (based upon the cabin’s existing parking and access method), brings us into full participation with the new County system.
The Big Bear Fire Department has confirmed to us that from now on, all emergency calls are to go through 9-1-1 – and that when reporting an emergency location, we will no longer attempt to provide driving directions, nor will we be submitting a mere cabin number. Instead, the new system will be based upon the unique address assigned to each cabin.* For example, the former address of “Cabin 85” will now be: “85 Spring Rd, Southwest Shore, Big Bear Lake.” Note that the word “Cabin” is no longer part of our addresses.
We emphasize that it is essential to include each of those key address identifiers to the 9-1-1 operator: NUMBER AND ROAD, SOUTHWEST SHORE, BIG BEAR LAKE.
Once the information is entered by the 9-1-1 operator, it will immediately be transmitted electronically to the appropriate local agency's apparatus cab-mounted computer screen – where it will pinpoint the location of the emergency. Upon arrival, our on-site road names will confirm locations for the responder.
Nighttime visibility is another important aspect of the new plan – upgraded night-reflective address numbers will be made available to each cabin by next summer season.
These emergency response measures, sponsored by our Southwest Shore Colony Association, represent a major upgrade in the quality of emergency medical, fire, and law enforcement response. Special thanks go to Gary Stahl, 60 Don Carlos Road, for his energy and leadership of a number of other cabin volunteers on this major improvement in SW Shore security, health, and safety.
*Note: To find a Street Address quickly, there are two easy, effective tools:
SWS Cabin Roster now contains Street Addresses;
The "CabinCam" now has an easy Address Lookup feature:
Click the "CabinCam" link on the SWS Website Homepage;
On the "CabinCam" home page, click the Menu icon (3 bars) in the title bar;
Click the first choice, "911/LakePatrol/Sheriff/Fire."
In the entry box, enter your Cabin Number and click "Go."
Your official Southwest Shore Address will appear below the entry box.
Both the Cabin Roster and the "CabinCam" are quickly accessible using the Quick Links on the homepage of our SWS Website.