Aliso Viejo urges residents to signup for AlertOC mass notification system
The city is asking residents and businesses to signup with a mass notification system designed to keep the public informed of emergencies.
The city is in the process of implementing “AlertOC” – a county-wide notification system funded by the County of Orange. The system allows county officials to notify the entire county of county-wide disasters or emergencies and gives city officials the ability to communicate with Aliso Viejo residents and businesses about local disasters or emergencies that occur. Notifications can be made for time-sensitive issues, which could include planned and unforeseen emergencies or public-safety matters, like wildfire evacuations, dangerous individuals or other emergency warnings or instructions.
The system allows officials to record, send and track personalized voice messages to residents, businesses and local agencies citywide in just minutes through a single phone call. The city can also send text messages to cell phones, PDAs, e-mail accounts and special receiving devices (TTY/TDD) for the hearing impaired.
City officials say AlertOC is a “win-win” for the city and community in keeping it informed of potential disasters and more. By registering with the city through AlertOC, Aliso Viejo residents and businesses will receive time-sensitive messages from City Hall.
Lt. Rich Paddock, chief of Police Services, encourages all residents and merchants to register as soon as possible and to encourage their neighbors and customers to do the same.
“Remember, the system only has the phone numbers that are in the 9-1-1 database and if residents have additional numbers they routinely answer, they are encouraged to register those numbers as well to increase the chances of being notified in an emergency,” Paddock said.
Early next year, the city will send its first Emergency Notification Test message to educate residents about the program.
The public can register its important contact information for AlertOC on the city’s Web site at www.cityofalisoviejo.com or by visiting the AlertOC Web site directly at http://bos.ocgov.com/alertoc/alertoc.asp.
