Policy Text
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Communications Bureau
Use of Alert and Notification System
The purpose of this Order is to establish responsibility for th e appropriate use of the
Everbridge Alert and No tification System.
I. Definition
The Everbridge Alert and Notifica tion System is a regional prog ram that operates using
G.I.S. mapping technology integ rated with the 911 system to sen d out mass
notifications via telephone in a specified geographic location. The system also provides
for a citizen to register additi onal information to be notified via cell phone, text, and
email. The system, although r egional, is operated independentl y by each agency.
II. Policy
A. The intention of the Everbr idge Alert and Notification syste m is to be able
to alert a selected group of i ndividuals by ge ographical area t o provide
information including but no t limited to the following:
1. Evacuation or disaster notification 2. Imminent threat to life or property 3. Other public safety notifications 4. Internal notifications or callouts 5. Crime alerts/prevention
III. Field Officer Responsibilities
A. It is the responsibility of t he field officer to determine t he following factors
prior to initiating an activati on of the Everbridge Alert and N otification
System.
1. Seriousness of the incident 2. Risk to individual(s) 3. Risk factors to the community
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Communications Bureau 4. Practicality of the use of t he system for notification to i nclude the
time of day the activation is to be initiated B. The field officer shall gain the approval of the On-Duty Wat ch Commander
through his/her supervisor prior to initiating the activation. The field
supervisor or On-Duty Watch Commander will then contact the
Communications Bureau Supervisor or his/her designee with the f ollowing
information:
1. The critical information to be included in the outgoing not ification
2. The appropriate geographical area for the notification
3. Any addresses to be ex cluded in the notification
IV. Watch Commander Responsibilities
A. It is the responsibility o f the On-Duty Watch Commander to e nsure that
the use of Everbridge Alert and No tification System is appropri ate and
practical, and ultimately approv e the activation as well as the content of
the message in its entirety.
B. The Watch Commander shall notif y the Communications Supervis or to
initiate a cancellation of t he activation if/when necessary.
V. Communications Bur eau Responsibilities
A. The On-Duty Communications Su pervisor or designee shall assi st with the
development of the content of the message and ens ure the approv al of
the Watch Commander p rior to it being sent.
B. The On-Duty Communications Su pervisor will make the proper
notifications of the incident as per Communications Bureau Oper ations
Order 2/02.
C. The On-Duty Communications Su pervisor or designee shall ensu re the
activation is documented in the CAD event. If no CAD event exi sts for the
activation, one shall be cr eated for documentation.
D. Outside agencies requesting as sistance with an activation sh all fax/scan
the exact message they are requesting be sent.
VI. After Hours Notifications (2200 – 0600 Hours)
A. Except in exigent circumstanc es where the practicality of th e use of the
system is deemed appropriate and greatly outweighs the intrusiv eness of
the notifications to the residents , no after-hours activation o f the
Everbridge Alert and Notification System shall be initiated for risks not
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Communications Bureau directly associated with the co mmunity (e.g. At-Risk Missing Pe rsons,
Crime Prevention, etc.).
VII. Inappropriate Use
A. Inappropriate uses of the syst em include but are not limite d to the
following:
1. Notifications to neighbor hoods regarding meetings or publi c events
not pertaining to public safety 2. Political messages and/or telemarketing 3. Notifications regarding mi nor incidents or missing persons where
no immediate threat of death or injury to the missing party i s
evident
Attachments: None
Related Orders: Communications Bureau Operations Order 02/02, Notification in
S p e c i a l C i r c u m s t a n c e s References: None