The City on Nov. 25 will send its first Emergency Notification Test message to residents and businesses as part of a mass notification system designed to keep the public informed of emergencies.
Mission Viejo just implemented “AlertOC” – a county-wide notification system funded by the County of Orange – to give City officials the ability to communicate with residents about time-sensitive issues, which could include planned and unforeseen emergencies or public-safety matters.
The system allows officials to record, send and track personalized voice messages to residents, businesses and local agencies citywide in just minutes through a single phone call. The City can also send text messages to cell phones, PDAs, e-mail accounts and special receiving devices (TTY/TDD) for the hearing impaired. The service requires no additional hardware. It can be used from any computer with Internet access or just a telephone, ensuring that officials can send vital messages from anywhere.
City officials say AlertOC is a “win-win” for the City and community in keeping it informed of potential disasters and more.
“With the AlertOC system, we will be able to reach out to citizens directly regarding any time-sensitive issue, such as a fire, road closure or water-contamination event,” said Paul Catsimanes, Public Services Administrative Manager. “I strongly urge residents to register their contact information into the secure AlertOC service database to make sure they are ready to receive important information at any given time.”
Listed primary residential and business phones in Mission Viejo will automatically be included in the system. However, residents can opt to provide their complete information (up to three phone numbers and two e-mail addresses) and indicate if they have a TTY/TDD device by visiting the City’s Web site at www.cityofmissionviejo.org and clicking on the “AlertOC” link to enter their information into the secure database.
Residents with call-blocking services can also receive the City’s time-sensitive calls by adding (949) 470-8480 to their approved number list.
The first test call will be issued Nov. 25 to educate residents about the program. If residents do not receive the test call, they should visit the City’s Web site at www.cityofmissionviejo.org and click on the “AlertOC” link to enter their contact information.
For more information, e-mail AlertOC@cityofmissionviejo.org.
