On June 5th, the Office of Emergency Services completed the re-installation of one Emergency Satellite Call Box at the Purdon Crossing of the South Yuba River to provide visitors a quick way to report an emergency situation without cell service. The Call Box operates on the Iridium Everywhere system ensuring operation in remote areas and is powered by solar panels. The Purdon Satellite Call Box Project helped alleviate emergency needs within the area and provided quick response saving 3 lives at the river last summer.
With approximately 1,500 visitors to the Yuba River each day during the summer season and a lack of cell service due to its remote location, there is a heightened public safety hazard with response times that are upwards of twenty minutes before emergency responders can reach the crisis location. The Purdon Satellite Call Box provides close access for visitors to call 911 when they would otherwise have to drive out of the Yuba River canyon until they received cell service to report an emergency.
The Purdon Satellite Call Box was identified as an action item by the Yuba River Public Safety Cohort last year in order to decrease emergency response delays. The Safety Cohort is a multi-agency workgroup that includes Federal, State and local agencies and organizations that have identified various initiatives in order to promote public safety and law enforcement efforts at the South Yuba River.
Vandalism has been an issue with existing signs in remote locations such as Purdon Crossing. Officials are asking the community to help prevent and report any vandalism in an effort to keep the Wild and Scenic South Yuba River Corridor beautiful and, most importantly, safe for all visitors.
