Could you help your neighbors in need?


MERRAG!  (pronounced Mirage) is a network of trained volunteers who work and live in the Montecito area. Members are prepared to respond to a community disaster during the critical first 72 hours following an event. Since 1987, the mutual “self-help” organization has been serving Montecito’s 13,000 residents with the guidance and support of the Montecito Fire, Water and Sanitary Districts.

Find out more about MERRAG and how you can help yourself help MERRAG.

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Montecito Informational AM Radio System

The Montecito Informational AM Radio System is owned and operated by the Montecito Fire Protection District. The radio was purchased with a grant from the Douglas Foundation in early 2008.  The Montecito Water and Sanitary Districts, and MERRAG also provided support in seeing the project to fruition.

The radio transmitter is located at Montecito Fire District Station 1, 595 San Ysidro Road. The antenna is located next to Station 1, on Montecito Water District property.  

While you can't find smooth Jazz, or easy Rock, it is the radio frequency residents can tune in when they need to find emergency information. The radio station will instruct residents regarding emerging or emanate dangers during wildfires, flash floods, and earthquakes as well as other emergencies.  In addition, local information can be broadcast on the radio station, such as public meetings and local events.

The radio station joins the Fire District's emergency notification system, which includes Reverse 911 (Managed by County Sheriff Department), the Montecito Fire District web site, www.Montecitofire.com, and local cable TV transmissions of the emergency broadcast system.

 The AM Radio is a 10 watt, low power transmitter, and allows the Fire District to prerecord messages and quickly create a broadcast for emergencies. Messages can be created and inserted into the broadcast remotely by fire personnel in the field utilizing cell phones or the internet. The radio station offers live broadcasts as well.  Montecito dispatchers and other personnel are being trained to record messages in the event of an emergency.

Because the radio utilizes a low power transmitter, the ability to receive the transmission will vary based on your location, the radio being  used, and the radio's antenna. (It's important to note that most home stereo systems do not have AM antennas attached, and will not receive the transmission. ) Your vehicle's AM radio is often the best receiver to use since the low power transmitters were designed for commuter traffic.

If you have an event that you would like added to the playlist, please contact Geri Ventura at (805) 969-2537 for more information.