San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Countyspecific apps
Alameda County: To enroll in the county’s AC Alert system, download the Everbridge app and search for AC Alert. The system allows you to provide multiple methods of emergency contact and other useful information. You can also register for AC Alert at www.acalert.com.
Santa Clara County: The ReadySCC free mobile app helps you create an emergency preparedness kit and an emergency preparedness family plan, including important emergency contacts and links to resources and information.
Phone and email
You can register your phone and email address for locationspecific alerts with local and federal government sources.
If you text “PREPARE” to 43362, your phone number will be signed up for FEMA text alerts and emergency preparedness tips.
Save the number 43362 in your contacts. If you text this number with the word “SHELTER” and your ZIP code, you can find open shelters.
Countyspecific alerts
For most Bay Area counties, you can sign up for local government and public safety alerts, including emergency warnings, via Nixle by texting your ZIP code to 888777.
You can also fill out an online registration form to receive alerts via phone or email for some Bay Area counties. Search your local county government website for information on signing up in Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma and Solano counties.
You can also receive useful information from emergency alerts shared on county and other government Twitter accounts.
San Francisco: @SF_Emergency
Contra Costa: @ContraCostaFire, @CCCounty and @CoCoCWS
Marin: @AlertMarin, @MarinSheriff and @MarinCountyFire Alameda: @AlamedaCoAlert, @AlamedaCoFire and @AlamedaCoSheriffs
Napa: @napacountyfire, @napasheriff and @CountyofNapa
San Mateo: @sanmateoco, @SMCSheriff and @SanMateoPD
Santa Clara: @sccfiredept, @SCCGov and @SCC_OES
Solano: @SolanoFire, @SolanoSheriff and @SolanoCountyEMS
Sonoma: @CountyofSonoma and @SonomaSheriff Cal Fire: @CAL_FIRE
Wireless Emergency Alerts
Federal agencies like the National Weather Service and local governments use a system called Wireless Emergency Alerts to communicate with most cell phones. The alerts are usually accompanied by a sound and vibration pattern so that users can identify their importance.
But in areas with poor or no cell phone service, the alerts may be critically delayed or not arrive. Some people have reported that they did not receive essential emergency alerts when they were supposed to. Other apps and messaging systems that rely on
WiFi and data plans may help fill in the gaps left by the wireless emergency alert system.
The federal Emergency Alert System is a separate system that uses broadcasters and satellite providers to broadcast emergency warnings to television and radio. If you cannot access cell service or the internet, turning on a radio or television during an emergency may help you get the critical information you need. Both the WEA and the EAS are part of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, which also uses digital road signs and sirens as alternative alerting mechanisms.
Key hardware
FEMA and the California
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services recommend that families have an emergency charging option for cell phones in the case of a power failure. Be sure to keep at least one backup portable charger in your emergency preparedness kit.
Most state and local emergency preparedness lists recommend finding a batterypowered or handcrank radio so that you can get information if you cannot access the internet or any cellbased technologies. Some lists also recommend extra batteries and a portable drive or cloudbased storage with scans of important documents, like insurance information.
If cell and internet networks are knocked out during a natural disaster, satellite phones can be an option to stay in touch because they rely on a network of satellites unaffected by natural disasters.
Though expensive, there are a few satellite phones commonly recommended for emergency use, including the Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 and the Iridium 9555. Some retailers have offered the Inmarsat for free alongside a yearly plan, and it may be worth exploring if you’re willing to spend $50 to $100 a year to keep a satellite phone active for emergencies.