News Release: City to Test Emergency Alert System
Published on December 04, 2024
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City to Test Emergency Alert System
Annual test to be conducted on December 12 at noon to build community awareness
PALO ALTO, CALIF. – The City of Palo Alto will conduct a test of its emergency alert system on Thursday, December 12 at noon. The test seeks to build community awareness of the City’s emergency alert system, as less than one third of Palo Alto residents are currently registered to receive emergency notifications. The effort also ensures residents who have registered are receiving the emergency notifications as defined though their account settings.
The City of Palo Alto uses AlertSCC, a Santa Clara County emergency notification system employed by all Santa Clara County cities, to alert the public about emergency situations such as a flood incident, wildfire, or other public safety event. The alert system is one approach used to communicate and keep the public informed during an emergency to share community impacts and risks to public safety.
The City launched conducting a test of the emergency alert system annually last December. The emergency notification will note that the message is only a “test.” If you already have an account, you will receive the “test” alert as a call, text message and/or email message, depending on your account preferences. To change your account preferences before the December 12 test, log into your account at https://member.everbridge.net/453003085615038/login
The City uses its emergency alert system sparingly and only for emergency public information sharing. AlertSCC is free for everyone. It is quick and easy to set up, and users can select if alerts are sent directly to your mobile device, landline, and/or email address. You decide how you want to receive alerts and designate the order by which you want to be notified. To sign up for the City’s emergency alert system, go to www.alertscc.com.
Please refrain from calling the City’s 24-hour dispatch center (either via 9-1-1 or via (650) 329-2413) after the test to ask questions or get additional information. Our public safety dispatchers are not involved in this test and do not have any way to control your alerting preferences.
In addition to the City’s emergency alert system, there are several other ways for the community to stay informed before, during and after an emergency, public safety incident or other event that poses a public safety risk to residents, including:
- City of Palo Alto official website at . Gain real-time storm related community impacts at /stormupdate
- Palo Alto Emergency Public Information Recorded Line at (650) 329-2420.
- City of Palo Alto social media channels, including Nextdoor, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Follow the City on these platforms at /connect
Sign up today for the City's emergency alert system.
Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions about AlertSCC.
Sent By:
Meghan Horrigan-Taylor
Chief Communications Officer
City Manager's Office
Email:Meghan.Horrigan-Taylor@paloalto.gov