Mayor Walsh Announces New Emergency Notification System for the City of Boston

New emergency management system will allow residents to receive notifications via phone, text or email in four languages

BOSTON - Monday, August 15, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) today announced significant improvements to the City's emergency notification system, AlertBoston. The AlertBoston system allows residents, businesses and visitors to the City of Boston to be notified and aware in the event of an emergency.

The management system upgrades will now allow residents to receive emergency notifications via phone, text or email. Recognizing the diverse nature of Boston's population, the new AlertBoston system also allows City officials to broadcast information in four different languages. Messages such as severe weather warnings, parking ban announcements and street closure information will now be transmitted in English, Spanish, French and Chinese (Hong Kong dialect).

The new AlertBoston system will also allow for "tailored messaging." With tailored outreach, an emergency message can either be sent City-wide, or solely to areas directly affected by a particular event.

"AlertBoston has long provided an easy and secure method for being notified during an emergency, and the improvements to AlertBoston reflect the City's commitment to ensuring all residents receive timely, vital information in a format and language accessible to them," said Mayor Walsh.

The improvements to the system reflect the feedback the City of Boston received from residents.

The AlertBoston system was developed by a company called CodeRED, a provider of alert systems to cities and towns throughout the United States. CodeRED has a mobile alert app that can be downloaded for free, and allows visitors who are enrolled in their local alert programs at home to receive AlertBoston notifications in Boston.

"By enrolling in AlertBoston and taking advantage of the notification program, residents are taking an important step in safeguarding themselves and their families," said Rene Fielding, Director of the Office of Emergency Management.

To enroll in AlertBoston, visit the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) website.