1. Local Best Practice: AlertSF
Workshops for California Emergency Alerts – California OES/California Public Utilities Commission
Sarah Tyler
San Francisco Department of Emergency Management - Division of Emergency Services
August 14, 2007

2. Capabilities Overview
Internet-based text alerting system
Vendor is Roam Secure
Registration is voluntary
Users sign up at AlertSF.org website
System license essentially unlimited
Covers any person who “lives, works or plays” in San Francisco

3. Capabilities Overview
Sent from any computer/wireless device with internet access
Sent to registered:
addresses
Cell phones
Wireless PDAs
Text pagers

4. Selecting AlertSF
Following best practices from Washington, DC/National Capital Region
Joint regional purchase with Homeland Security Grant Funding
San Mateo County: smcalert.info
Marin County: in development

5. Public Information/Warning Goals
Disseminate post-disaster information
Broadcast tsunami warnings
Existing Tools
Emergency Alert System
EDIS
Outdoor Public Warning System

6. Text alerting is robust
AlertSF: Filling Gaps
Text alerting is robust
Functioned after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, 9/11
Contact through alternative medium
Deaf/Hard of Hearing population
People inside/asleep?

7. Targeted Messaging Registration Groups Addresses of Interest Zip Code
Business Groups
Tsunami Inundation Zone
Addresses of Interest
Allows a new geographic group to be created based on incident

8. System Release
System launched October 2006
Coincided with Loma Prieta anniversary
Currently approaching 10,000 registrants

9. System Use Expanded system function Utility disruptions
Local transit disruptions
No major disasters
Power Outages
Unplanned Street Closures
Information feeds (Weather, Earthquake, Amber Alert)