County implementing changes to alert system

In summer 2020, Washtenaw County switched from using the Nixle Program get alerts out to county residents, to the Everbridge emergency notification system. Washtenaw County can use Everbridge to alert residents to everything ranging from severe weather, hazardous materials incidents, floods, and other emergencies, to more routine announcements, such as road closures and other public safety messages. Messages are sent to residents on their preferred contact method including cell phone, SMS, home phone, email, fax, pager, and more — to ensure real-time access to potentially lifesaving information.

Since the introduction of the Everbridge notification system, they’ve received feedback from subscribers about what works and what doesn’t, and with this in mind, they are implementing several new changes to the Washtenaw Alert system as of January 1, 2022.

Messages will now be grouped into the following categories:

• Emergencies Only: You will only receive alerts for emergencies which require your immediate attention. These messages will include the type of incident, the area impacted, and the actions you need to take for your own safety. Messages will be sent to ALL delivery methods that you have registered, including voice calls to your phone. These alerts are active for all subscribers automatically and cannot be turned off.
• Public Advisories: Alerts for ongoing incidents or significant events which have recently occurred, or may occur in the near future, and which you should be generally aware of. Advisories will be sent via email and SMS text to your cell phone.
• Community Messages: These are general community alerts which include crime bulletins, requests for public assistance, and other outreach communications regarding your area. Messages will only be sent via email.
• Traffic Advisories: Notification of unplanned road closures and other traffic-related incidents which may impact your travel. These messages are sent countywide and are primarily related to freeways, however local closure of major secondary roads are also included as necessary. Traffic Advisories will be sent via email and SMS text.
• Weather Alerts: You will be notified of the National Weather Service watches, warnings, and/or advisories which you select. Weather Alerts will be sent via email and SMS text.

To ensure that you continue receiving Washtenaw Alert messages, they ask that you please sign in to your account and select the new options of your choice as soon as possible:

1. Visit washtenaw.org/alerts
2. Click “Sign In” in the upper right corner.
3. Log in with your username and password.
4. Click “My Subscriptions” in the upper right of the home page.
5. Click the arrow button to the left of “I want to receive communications about:”
6. Click on the check boxes to the left of each messaging option that you wish to receive.
7. Click the arrow button to the left of “Weather Alerts.”
8. Click on the check boxes to the left of each weather alert that you wish to receive.
9. Click “SAVE” in the lower right corner of the page.
10. Click the “Logout” button next to your username in the upper left corner.

If you aren’t signed up already to receive alerts from the County, visit washtenaw.org/alerts and click on “sign up” in the top right hand corner.

Questions, comments, or concerns about this service? contact EOC@WashtenawCounty.net

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.