Union County urges residents to register for geo-targeted Everbridge alerts

Union County is urging residents and visitors to register for Everbridge, the county’s geo-targeted emergency notification service formerly known as AlertSense, to receive phone calls, SMS/texts and email alerts tied to specific locations within the county. The opt-in system is intended to deliver timely instructions for natural disasters, evacuation orders, public-health threats, severe-weather warnings, Amber Alerts, hazardous-material incidents and other urgent public-safety notifications.

Registration allows people to list multiple phone numbers and email addresses and to select preferred delivery methods and the types of alerts they want to receive. In addition to messages sent to registered subscribers, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) can be delivered to cell phones in affected areas where broadcast coverage applies. Union County emergency services says the service is free and recommends residents sign up so they receive county-issued guidance targeted to where they live, work or travel.

The call for broader registration highlights several practical and policy implications. Because the system is opt-in, officials cannot reach residents who do not register; that gap places greater importance on community outreach, partnerships with local organizations and targeted efforts to enroll older residents, seasonal workers and households with limited internet access. Conversely, the WEA broadcast capability provides a backstop by delivering alerts to cell phones in a defined area without requiring subscription, but broadcast alerts depend on cell coverage and compatible devices.

Union County’s rural and mountainous geography increases both the value and the limits of a geo-targeted service. Fast notification can reduce confusion during road closures, flash flooding, wildfire threats and winter-travel emergencies by sending location-specific evacuation instructions and safety guidance. Yet cell-service gaps in valley and high-country corridors mean some residents may not receive texts or calls; registering landline numbers or alternate contacts can help mitigate that risk where available.

From an institutional perspective, Union County emergency management benefits from subscriber data that enables granular outreach and more efficient resource coordination during incidents. Wider sign-up rates can strengthen situational awareness for responders and reduce the time spent locating affected households during evacuations. At the same time, officials must maintain outreach and testing routines so that the system remains current and trusted by the public.

To register, Union County directs residents to the emergency notification signup page at unioncountyor.gov/emergency-notification-service-available/. Residents should add all phone numbers and emails they want reached, confirm delivery preferences and update contact information after moving or changing numbers.

For Union County residents, signing up for Everbridge is a practical step that increases the likelihood of receiving clear, location-relevant instructions when minutes matter. Continued enrollment, periodic updates and community outreach will determine how effectively the system reduces harm and improves response in future emergencies.