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We are excited to announce the launch of updated product names, logos, and headers within our user interfaces as part of the CivicPlus® Solution Rebranding initiative. These changes mark the first step toward creating a cohesive and seamless user experience across all solutions in our portfolio. As part of this transition, users may notice minor design updates. While the functionality you rely on remains unchanged, we are in the process of updating screenshots and other resources on our Help Centers to reflect the new branding. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to complete these updates.

When to Send Emergency and Routine Notifications

  • Updated:

The first crucial distinction in a mass communication strategy is understanding the difference between emergency and routine alerts.

 

What Is an Emergency Alert?

An emergency that warrants the use of mass communication for an emergency alert is one where there is an imminent threat to life or property. The incident is currently happening (a tornado), or it is imminently anticipated (a hurricane).

 

Public safety leaders can further amplify the reach of their emergency alerts by integrating their mass notification system with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).

 

IPAWS allows you to rapidly reach the public by leveraging such public channels as the wireless emergency alert (WEA) network, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radios, road signage, and television station alerts.

 

What Is a Routine Alert?

Any other news, information, and warnings can be considered routine alerts. This broad communication category encompasses everything from parking restrictions due to snow events to a blocked intersection, due to a traffic accident or a canceled town hall meeting.

 

Tip: For public safety communicators, another critical distinction is that non-emergency alerts apply to incidents that have already occurred. Some examples are road closures, due to a downed power line or a main water break.

 

Residents must opt-in to receive routine alerts per the Telephone Consumer Act of 1991.

 

Questions to Ask Yourself

Finally, when considering if the information you need to communicate constitutes an emergency or a routine warning, ask yourself these clarifying questions:

  • Is there an immediate threat to Resident safety?
    • Emergency
  • Could this event directly result in loss of life?
    • Emergency
  • Does this event constitute an inconvenience that does not directly threaten a loss of life?
    • Routine
  • Is this information intended to be used in a possible future emergency?

 

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