County to Test Mass Emergency Notification System

From the Orange County Sheriff’s Department:

More than two million Orange County residents, along with users of AlertOC’s smartphone app, will receive a call, email or push notification on Tuesday to test the County’s mass notification system.

This is the fifth annual regional test of AlertOC and will include 24 participating cities and the County’s unincorporated areas.

Emergencies can happen at any time. Just 10 days ago, a wildfire spread in Silverado Canyon during regular work hours. As a result of the fire, roads were closed and evacuations were ordered. AlertOC was used seven times during the course of the fire and the rain that fell two days following the lift of evacuations. Residents praised AlertOC as their critical link to immediately learn of required actions.

The AlertOC drill on Sept. 23 will replicate a large scale, multi-jurisdictional emergency requiring thousands of numbers to be called simultaneously across Orange County’s entire region. The phone message will urge all residents to prepare for real-life emergencies by registering their cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses at AlertOC.com for the best chance to receive vital, timely information when away from home.

Available for iPhone and Android smartphones, AlertOC’s apps allow users to receive push notifications, review past messages, update contact information, and set device and language preferences. Find the app by searching “Blackboard MyConnect” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

As part of the AlertOC drill, the County’s emergency public information hotline will be activated from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to provide preparedness tips and other emergency related information. Community members are invited to call (714) 628-7085 with questions on how to adequately prepare their home or business for any emergency.

For more information or to register alternate phone numbers and e-mail addresses, visit AlertOC.com. Commuters are reminded to be safe and use hands-free devices when talking on the phone and driving.