Be the first to know: Sign up for emergency texts and emails

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Signing up for emergency alerts via text, phone call or email equips residents with fast, relevant and potentially life-saving information in critical moments. It’s a simple action that can make a big difference in a crisis.

Here are few local alert systems that provide emergency information:

• AlertOC: AlertOC is a computerized telephone automated community notification system that can call to provide residents with a pre-recorded emergency or incident-specific message. Messages about a potential safety hazard or concern will be sent to landline phones, cell phones, e-mail and more. If you don’t confirm receipt of the message, the system will try to reach your second contact number or email. The system will continue trying to contact you until it receives a confirmation from you. All members of a household should register all communication devices and email addresses, both personal and work. Sign up for AlertOC at www. ocgov.com/about-county/emergency.

• Nixle: The City of Seal Beach uses Nixle as another avenue for important notifications. These messages can be delivered to cell phones as text messages, and people can choose to receive emails, or view the messages by logging into a Nixle account. To sign up, visit Nixle website at https://local.nixle.com/city/ca/seal-beach/, or send a text to the number 888777 containing the desired zip code (90740) for mobile alerts.