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Emergency Notification Systems

Opt-in alerting systems are communication platforms that require individuals to proactively sign up or consent to receive messages or alerts from a specific sender. These systems are used to send targeted information to subscribers who have expressed interest in receiving updates, notifications, or alerts on various topics. Opt-in systems are common in both commercial and public sectors for different purposes:

1. Commercial use: Businesses use opt-in alerting systems for marketing and promotional campaigns, sending special offers, product updates, or event information to customers who have subscribed to their messaging service.

2. Public safety: Government agencies, public safety organizations, and municipalities employ opt-in alerting systems to send urgent public safety messages, emergency alerts, weather warnings, and other critical information to citizens who have chosen to be informed.

3. Educational institutions: Schools and universities use these systems to communicate with students, parents, and staff about campus alerts, event notifications, and other relevant information.

Opt-in alerting systems are designed to respect user privacy and comply with regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the United States. These regulations ensure that individuals have explicitly agreed to receive messages, preventing unsolicited communications. Users typically subscribe to these services through a website, text message, or application, and they can often customize the type of alerts they wish to receive, as well as opt-out or unsubscribe from the service at any time.

Emergency Notifications

Emergency Notifications are important messages sent to people who choose to sign up for them. When you opt in, you'll get information about emergencies in your area, like evacuation notices and urgent advisories, helping you stay informed and safe. These alerts can reach you in several ways, including through apps on your smartphone, text messages, phone calls, and emails. This means you can get the information you need, the way you prefer to receive it.

It's important to know that different systems have different features and when messages are sent is dependent on the agency’s procedures and policies.

These alerts depend on your internet or mobile network to reach you. During a big emergency, these networks might be busy or down, but the systems do their best to get the information to you.

Remember, these emergency alert systems use both government-run and private services to send you messages, so the more accurate and up-to-date your contact details are, the better these systems work in keeping you informed during emergencies.

In Yavapai County, a variety of alerting platforms are utilized by different entities. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office utilizes Everbridge, while Rave is used by the Prescott Regional Communications Center (City of Prescott, Town of Prescott Valley), Town of Camp Verde, Cottonwood Regional Communication Center (City of Cottonwood), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Town of Wickenburg, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, and Coconino County Emergency Management. The Town of Clarkdale operates AlertSense provided by CivicPlus, Yavapai College has implemented AlertYC, and Nixle is the platform used by the City of Sedona and the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe. See the registration links on the side of this page.

Community Messages

Local agencies, depending on their chosen vendor, allow citizens to tailor their alert subscriptions, focusing on non-emergency notifications. These can include weather advisories that are not severe, public health updates, information about special events, election details, and road construction alerts. These opt-in notifications provide flexibility, enabling individuals to select their preferred categories and methods of receiving messages, whether via text, email, phone call, or mobile app. Users have the control to adjust their preferences or unsubscribe from specific alerts at any time through their profile settings. For detailed information and to customize alert preferences, residents should contact their local agency.

Register for Emergency Notification Systems

Disclaimer

Emergency Notification Systems within Yavapai County strives to reach local residents and businesses with recorded phone messages, text messages, or emails in times of emergency or disaster. These systems work to inform the community about the situation and necessary actions, such as evacuations, aiming to serve those living, working, or studying within Yavapai County.

Efforts to provide timely notifications may be affected by factors like power outages, limited telephone line capacity, busy signals, or caller ID blocking. Thus, it's crucial to also stay informed through other means, like TV and radio, as we cannot ensure immediate delivery of every emergency notice.

The system generally operates efficiently and effectively. However, in situations where you perceive imminent danger, do not delay taking protective actions based on awaiting an alert. Follow on-site emergency personnel instructions promptly if told to evacuate.

Notifications are sent based on the geographic relevance of your registered contact details to the emergency location. The accuracy and currency of this information are your responsibility. Upon registration, you're asked to provide primary and alternative phone numbers for contact, which should be personally yours. Most systems will leave messages on answering machines and may redial once if the call is missed. Agencies provide this notification system as a free service for public safety, with no guarantees for uninterrupted or fully timely alerts.