Santa Cruz County has partnered with Santa Cruz Regional 911 to launch CruzAware, a new community alert system used in both emergency and non-emergency situations. (Courtesy – Santa Cruz County)

Santa Cruz — Santa Cruz County has partnered with Santa Cruz Regional 911 to launch a new communications platform to keep locals informed and safe.

A new regional alert system, CruzAware, is used by local authorities in both emergency and non-emergency situations and is specifically designed to provide effective communication to residents in non-incorporated county areas.

“We are excited to introduce CruzAware as our next-generation community warning and warning system,” said David Reed, director of the Santa Cruz County Department of Response, Recovery and Resilience, in a release. “By using CruzAware, we not only ensure the safety and security of our residents during emergencies, but also keep them informed of a variety of non-emergency events that can affect their daily lives.”

Officials say CruzAware will be a significant upgrade over the previous system, CodeRED, that has been in use.

In addition to providing comprehensive emergency alerts during natural disasters and other severe weather, the new system uses enhanced geolocation technology to enable targeted alerts based on the user’s specific location. to share information related to local roads, community-level impacts, and public meetings.

The service also offers multilingual support, and users can choose how to receive alerts with options such as text message, phone call, email, and CruzAware mobile app.

According to the release, all existing CodeRED users will be automatically enrolled in CruzAware, but regular users are encouraged to visit the following site to update their contact information and preferences. CruzAware.org. This ensures that users receive timely and accurate notifications tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

“Registering for emergency notifications through CruzAware is extremely important for all residents,” said Stephanie French, Santa Cruz Area 9-1-1 Operations Manager. “In an emergency, every second counts, and prompt information can make all the difference in ensuring the safety of individuals and the well-being of communities.”

The new communications platform comes almost three years after the CZU Lightning Facility fire ravaged large swaths of North County, destroying more than 900 homes and burning nearly 86,500 acres of land.

Emergency evacuation orders were frequent this winter as relentless winter storms caused widespread flooding and landslides. Residents of the San Lorenzo Valley already suffer from frequent power outages, with erratic internet and cell phone service in many areas, and receive critical emergency information during frequent storms. It can be difficult to do so, he told local officials.

Local city messaging platforms such as Nixle will not be affected by the new warning system, according to the release, but county residents are encouraged to sign up for CruzAware as well.

How to sign up

What: CruzAware, new community alerts and warning system.

When: Anytime.

How: Visit CruzAware.org. Anyone who signs up for CodeRED is automatically registered.