By providing contact information, county residents can opt-in to receive critical emergency messaging via email, phone call and text during times of disasters. Important messages that could be relayed include notices to evacuate, shelter-in-place, shelter locations and other extremely important information.
The system is programmed with landline phone numbers, both listed and unlisted, from telephone company records. You must sign up here in order to receive alerts by:
- Cell phone
- Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)
- Email
- TTY/TDD Devices
If the call is picked up by an answering machine, it will leave a message and not call back. If the number is busy or there is no answer, the system will try contacting your other contact methods. Once you have acknowledged receipt of a message on one device, the system will stop trying to contact your other devices.
By signing up, you can receive emergency notifications for your home or any other address (such as a business). You will only be contacted when the associated address is affected by an emergency.
Current Alerts
Our community is stronger when we prepare together. Take these steps now to help get your family ready and be ClackGO Prepared!
Tips
- Mobile phone users: You may receive a popup asking you if you want to use the Everbridge mobile app. If you do not want to use the app you may click cancel and you will be directed to the registration page.
- Remember to use the “sign up for notifications” button to create an account in the new system. Once you have created an account you will then be able to login to edit your information.
The Technology
Community Emergency Notifications
Notifications are sent based on small geographic areas via*:
- Voice Call – may be text to speech or a recorded message
- Text Message
- TTY/TDD – hearing impaired devices
- Email
- Fax
- App – Everbridge Mobile App on Android and Apple Devices
*The system contains traditional landline data, but does not contain cell phone or VOIP phone numbers. To receive these messages via any method, other than landline phone, residents must sign-up to receive the notifications.
Example scenarios:
- Active police incident in neighborhood
- Gas leak
- Evacuation of area
- Missing endangered person that likely hasn’t traveled far
- Fire/Wildfire
Disadvantages:
- Will only reach landline phones and those who have opted-in with other contact methods
- Misses visitors to the area whom would not sign-up in the system
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
Different than a text message, WEAs are popup notifications on your mobile device. These alerts are only issued through participating cell phone providers to WEA-capable devices within the alert area.
Example scenarios:
Disadvantages:
- 90-character limit without attachments — this limits our ability to provide detailed, actionable information
- Only allows for county-wide notifications that spills over into other jurisdictions — this is why Clackamas County residents have received notifications for Salem recently
Emergency Alert System (EAS)
EAS messages are sent via television and radio to the entire Portland-Metro (Clackamas, Clark, Columbia, Multnomah and Washington Counties) media market.
Example scenarios:
- Extreme Weather Alerts/Warnings
- 911 telephone outage of a large impacted area
- Evacuation of a large impacted area
Disadvantages:
- Large reach — should not be used for small incidents
- Will only reach people watching TV or listening to the radio
Frequently Asked Questions
I have a landline in my home. Why should I sign up for additional notifications?
Emergencies can happen at any time. While you may get a call regarding an emergency on your home phone, signing up gives you instant access to alerts sent to cellular phones. This way you can stay informed even if you are away from home.
I have a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) telephone in my house. Am I already signed up?
VOIP telephones are NOT automatically signed up. You will need to use the link above to sign up for your VOIP telephone to your address in order to receive emergency alerts.
When might I expect to be notified?
Law enforcement or fire agencies may contact you about an emergency situation near the address you registered. The information will include actions you should take to protect yourself from danger. They may also notify you when the situation is resolved to let you know you may return home or leave home safely.
Is there a fee to sign up?
No. There is no fee to sign up or to receive notifications.
The Department of Disaster Management and the 9-1-1 Centers (Clackamas Communications and Lake Oswego Communications) are responsible for activating this system for emergency use as requested by first responder agencies in Clackamas County. If you receive a call, it will come from one of these agencies and not an outside vendor.
Will I start receiving solicitation phone calls and/or emails?
Phone numbers and email addresses are secured and maintained by Everbridge for Clackamas County. The phone numbers and email addresses are exempt from public release under the public records law, and will never be sold or used for solicitation.
Our family has numerous cell phones. Can we sign up for more than one?
Yes. Each account gives you the ability to sign up 5 phones (two cell phones for text). It is recommended that each family member create an account and sign up their own devices. If you sign up a family member's device on your account, and you acknowledge a message before it gets to the other family member’s device the system may not contact their device. There is no limit to the amount of accounts per address.
Translate
The development of the Clackamas County Wildfire Protection Plan is a collaborative effort among local, state and federal agencies as well as community members that have a vested interest in reducing losses from wildfire events. The CCWPP meets the requirements set forth in the Healthy Forests Restoration Act and the National Fire Plan, while building upon the FEMA-approved Clackamas County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.
