DATE:              June 4, 2013
CONTACT:       Kirby Felts, Emergency Management Coord.
                        Phone (434) 971-1263
                        kfelts@albemarle.org
 
                       
 

Register for Community Emergency Alert

Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center has updated their mass notification system with a new tool to reach community members in an emergency. Citizens can now register with the Community Emergency Alert system to receive recorded phone messages, text messages or e-mail messages in case of emergency. The system is also TTY/TDD compatible.  Register for Community Emergency Alert at https://acuecc.onthealert.com

The Community Emergency Alert system will be used by the Emergency Communications Center to notify residents and businesses of critical situations and provide information regarding necessary actions. Events that may generate a message from the Community Emergency Alert system include evacuations, shelter-in-place situations, major traffic disruptions, Amber Alerts, gas leaks, boil water advisories and weather warnings. The system is capable of selecting a specific geographic area and targeting messaging to those within that area.
 
The system pulls from the telephone company’s 911 database and is able to contact land-line telephone numbers. Those with cellular or Voice over IP phones must register those telephone numbers to receive alerts. Text and email notifications are also managed through this self-registration portal. All who register can choose to opt-in to three additional categories of notifications: Weather, Major Events, and Other community notifications. These options are described further on the registration page. Register for Community Emergency Alert at https://acuecc.onthealert.com/.
 
The Emergency Communications Center also has social media tools to help the community be aware of daily interruptions, such as road closure due to accidents. Follow #CommEmerg on Twitter (https://twitter.com/CommEmerg) and like the Charlottesville, UVA, Albemarle County Emergency Communications Center page on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/#!/CommEmerg).