Sign up for disaster notifications
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
by Eloy Gomez
GRF safety manager
Being prepared for disasters can reduce the fear, anxiety and losses that accompany disasters. Communities, families and individuals should know what to do in the event of an earthquake and where to seek shelter during a fire.
They should be ready to evacuate their homes and take refuge in public shelters and know how to care for their basic medical needs. You can reduce the impact of disasters by securing items that might shake loose in an earthquake, and taking other pre-emergency precautions such as signing up to receive emergency alert notifications.
Below are three emergency alert notifications systems, residents are encouraged to register with all three systems to receive up to date emergency notifications.
Nixle
Nixle is a local text messaging alert notification system. It is a nationwide program but is typically operated by local jurisdiction’s police departments such as is the case in the City of Seal Beach. Nixle subscribers will receive alerts for severe weather, criminal activities, severe traffic or traffic accidents requiring street closures, DUI check points, missing persons and local events. To sign up to receive alerts from you local agencies simply text your zip code to 888777.
AlertOC
AlertOC is a mass notification system designed to keep Orange County residents and businesses informed of emergencies. By registering with AlertOC, time-sensitive voice messages from the City of Seal Beach can be sent to your home, mobile, or business phone. Text messages may also be sent to mobile phones, e-mail accounts, and hearing impaired devices.
Public mass notification systems have become a critical component of emergency preparation and response.
Public safety officials utilize the system to rapidly send out messages when there is a perceived, emerging, or imminent situation that may require community action, such as evacuation.
Based on the severity of the event, AlertOC may be used to contact residents by one or all of the following methods: home, work and mobile phones, email and text messages.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for this important notification service. From your search bar type the words: “AlertOC—Sign Up” or type the following link in your search engine https://member.everbridge.
net/453003085613900/login
LW Live
Leisure World Live is an email messaging system designed to keep LW residents and their families informed on street closures, major construction activities, emergencies, community events, and Optum medical related information.
To sign up to receive LW Live alerts, go to lwsb.com and click on the blue square located at the right side “Stay Informed Subscribe to LW Live” and fill out the form that pops up.
For more information regarding emergency preparedness or this article, contact Eloy Gomez, GRF health and safety specialist at 562-431-6586, ext. 356.
