SANTA ANA, Ca. (September 20, 2023): – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, will test its emergency mass notification system, AlertOC, with a test emergency alert.
For those who have signed up for AlertOC, the notification will be sent to subscribers’ mobile devices, home phones and e-mails.
The test will replicate a large-scale, multi-jurisdictional emergency requiring thousands of numbers to be called simultaneously across Orange County. This is the 12th annual regional test of the system and will include 15 participating cities, as well as the county’s unincorporated areas.
“Signing up for AlertOC is an important step in emergency preparedness and planning,” said Michelle Anderson, Director of Emergency Management for the Sheriff’s Department. “We hope to engage more members of our community to make sure they are ready for an emergency that could occur in our area with little-to-no warning.”
Disasters, such as wildfires and debris flow events, often occur rapidly, forcing evacuations and road closures to neighborhoods.
AlertOC, the county’s mass notification system, is a critical link for residents to immediately learn of any required actions, such as evacuating their homes during an imminent emergency. It also enables the county to inform our residents during ongoing incidents, such as a pandemic or other health emergencies.
The distinctive feature of AlertOC is the ability for individuals to register multiple contact methods and addresses. Subscribers can submit landlines, cell phones and e-mail addresses into the system. By registering multiple contacts, the system can more effectively reach residents.
For more information or to register alternate phone numbers or e-mail addresses, visit AlertOC.gov.
