Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 01/24/2011 07/01/201 7
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SS320 - Emergency Notification System ALERTOC 1 SS320 EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
(ALERTOC)
SS320.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure establishes guidelines for the AlertOC Emergency Notification system.
SS320.1.2 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This procedure pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 46.1.4 , 46.1.10 , 41.2.6
This procedure pertains to the following General Orders: §802
SS320.2 PROCEDURE
The City of Tustin uses Orange County’s regional public mass notification system, AlertOC, to
disseminate early warning and time sensitive information to businesses and residences during
the time of an emergency event . The system is available 24/7 and has been pre -loaded with
Orange County landline phone numbers inc luding unlisted numbers. Residents may also opt to
add additional contact information such as cell phone numbers and email addresses.
SS320 .2.1 ACTIVATING THE SYSTEM
Use of AlertOC for emergency activity involves the need to disseminate critical, safety related
information to individuals within a short timeframe.
Emergency notifications are limited to:
a) Imminent or perceived threat to life or property ;
b) Disaster notifications ;
c) Evacuation notices ;
d) Public health emergencies ;
e) Public safety emergencies ; or
f) Any notification to provide emergency information to a defined community .
The following criteria should be utilized to assist with determining the need to issue an alert:
1) Sever ity. Is there a significant threat to public life and safety?
2) Public Protection. Is there a need for members of the public to take protective action in
order to reduce loss of life or substantial loss of property?
3) Warning. Will providing warning informat ion assist members of the public in making the
decision to take proper and prudent action?
4) Timing. Does the situation require immediate public knowledge in order to avoid adverse
impact?
5) Geographical Area. Is the situation limited to a defined geographical area?
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 01/24/2011 07/01/201 7
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SS320 - Emergency Notification System ALERTOC 2 6) Are other means of disseminating the information inadequate to ensure proper and timely
delivery of the information?
7) Is the message being sent follow -up information to an emergency event in progress?
If the answer to the above questions is “Yes”, then an activation of the AlertOC Mass Notification
System for emergency purposes may be warranted.
When an emergency event occurs, and the on -duty Watch Commander believes the use of the
AlertOC system is necessary, he /she can authorize the activation.
If the activation is approved, the Communications Supervisor or designee will be contacted to
launch the notification.
Once the notification is sent, an email must be sent to PD -Recap with all pertinent information
regarding what was released to the public. Any additional notifications sent, such as updates or
status changes, require a subsequent email to PD -Recap to keep them informed.
SS320.2.2 SENDING THE MESSAGE
The following questions must be addressed prior to the message being sent:
a) Is the message being sent to residen ces, businesses , or both ?
b) Is it only targeting a certain geographical area?
c) Is the message going to all contact numbers listed, or only the primary?
d) How many call back attempts should be made if it rings busy or no answer?
e) What actions should residents take in response to the message?
f) What call back number should be used for the caller ID of the message?
There are seven important elements that should be included in the message:
a) Name ;
b) Title and Organization ;
c) Date and Time ;
d) Issue ;
e) Response ;
f) Guidance ;
g) Closure .
If the message is regarding evacuations, updates should be sent with evacuation center locations.
At the conclusion of the incident, an “all clear” message should be sent .