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1. What is ALERT SPOKANE and why is it important to me?

ALERT SPOKANE is an emergency notification service that allows emergency officials to notify residents and businesses by telephone, cell phone, text message, email and social media regarding time-sensitive general and emergency notifications. Only authorized officials have access to the ALERT SPOKANE system.

2. When will ALERT SPOKANE be used?

Any message regarding the safety, property or welfare of the community may be disseminated using the ALERT SPOKANE system. These may include boil water advisories, evacuation notices, or missing persons.

3. Does the ALERT SPOKANE system replace other systems that have been used to provide time-sensitive information to residents?

This system is an enhancement to existing means of communication and is meant to supplement current or past systems used for mass notification.

4. Does the ALERT SPOKANE system already have my telephone number, or do I need to sign up to receive ALERT SPOKANE notifications?

The ALERT SPOKANE database contains information received from public databases, including regional phonebooks. However, no resident should assume that their information is in the system. The home page of the Alert Spokane website, www.alertspokane.com, has a link to the ALERT SPOKANE Community Notification Enrollment page where you can register online. If you cannot register online, you can download and use the CodeRED Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play. ALERT Spokane

5. I have a business located in Spokane County. Can I arrange to have ALERT SPOKANE contact my business?

Yes. Fill out the ALERT SPOKANE registration form but be sure to select the “This address is a business” option. Please note that emergency calls can only be delivered to a direct dial number. Automated attendants will disrupt the process and the calls will not be delivered. Businesses should register their main number and establish a procedure for distributing the ALERT SPOKANE message to their workforce.

6. What if I want to register additional numbers for my address?

After you submit the initial registration form, you may start the registration process again and submit more numbers for the same address.

7. Is my personal information protected?

ALERT SPOKANE is a service of Network Emergency Communications, which takes security and privacy concerns very seriously. They will not sell, trade, lease or loan any data citizen supplied data to third parties. Personal information is also protected by Washington State law.

8. How will I recognize an ALERT SPOKANE message?

An ALERT SPOKANE Emergency message will have a caller ID of 866-419-5000. We suggest you program this number in your cell phone as a “new contact” and use “ALERT SPOKANE Emergency” as the contact name. If you need to replay the emergency notification message again, simply dial the number and you will be able to hear the message again.

9. What should I do if I receive an ALERT SPOKANE message?

Listen carefully to the entire message. You will have the option to repeat the message by pressing any key. Do not call 911 for further information unless directed to do so or if you need immediate aid from the Police or Fire department.

10. I have a cordless phone, and it does not work when the power goes out. How will the system be able to contact me?

Make sure you have at least one working corded telephone – and be sure to turn the ringer on. The ALERT SPOKANE sign-up form allows you to indicate both a primary and alternate phone number. Cell phone and/or work phone numbers can be entered as alternate phone numbers. Both primary and alternate phone numbers will be contacted when a notification is sent.

11. Will the ALERT SPOKANE system leave a message on an answering machine?

Yes, the ALERT SPOKANE system will leave a message on a machine or on voicemail. The ALERT SPOKANE system will leave the entire message in one pass.

12. What happens if the line is busy?

If the line is busy, ALERT SPOKANE will try two more times to connect.

13. What circumstances might prevent a message from being delivered to me?

• If your contact information has changed and you have not registered your new information.
• If you have only cordless phones in your residence, the power is out and you did not register an alternate phone number.
• If your line is busy for an extended time and your calls do not forward to voicemail or an answering machine.
• If you have a privacy manager on your main phone and you did not register an alternate phone number.