Yolo County, Calif., has launched Alert Yolo, a county-wide emergency notification system. Under the new system, residents in Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, Woodland, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, as well as unincorporated areas of Yolo County, will now receive timely and accurate information during emergencies.
“We are thrilled to introduce Alert Yolo, a transformative step in our commitment to community safety,” said Lucas Frerichs, chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. “This state-of-the-art notification system ensures that every resident of Yolo County has direct access to vital information during emergencies. By signing up, you empower yourself and your loved ones to stay informed and be prepared.”
County leaders explained that Alert Yolo integrates with existing emergency notification systems used by Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, Woodland, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. Residents can sign up for alerts specific to their city or tribe.
Looking to the future, the county is working to expand the system to include an app, which will provide an additional channel for receiving emergency messages and staying up to date on the latest developments in Yolo County.
The county also stressed that one of their priorities was to ensure community members could sign up for emergency messages without sharing personal information. With the new system, community members can receive emergency alerts via SMS without the need to provide personal information. Community members simply need to provide their phone number and zip code to receive emergency communications.
The county said they prioritized providing a range of options for signing up and receiving emergency messages as it allows for the development of a system that is specifically tailored to meet the unique requirements of Yolo County residents.
Residents who were registered under the previous system received an update message in September asking them if they wanted to continue to receive emergency alerts. If they responded that they did, their information was transferred to the new Alert Yolo system. However, those users will still need to create new logins and passwords to update or change their information.
New users can either visit the alert system’s website or download the Public Safety by Everbridge mobile app to sign up. During the sign-up process, residents can also indicate any specific needs they or someone in their household may have, such as visual or auditory impairments, mobility issues, or transportation requirements.
County leaders did note that signing up for Alert Yolo and other community messaging platforms is “essential for staying informed about emergencies,” but added that it is “important” for residents to “recognize that they may not always be fully reliable, especially during severe weather events.”
