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Public Safety

San Diego County Tests New Emergency Alert Service

San Diego County is first in the nation to test a new mobile emergency alert system.

The service will send a free text message alerting cell phones of a nearby emergency. The Office of Emergency Services is conducting the pilot program along with local agencies such as the Sheriff’s Department and CAL FIRE.

The alert could also give details on how to respond to the emergency, such as whether or not to evacuate, says Senior Emergency Services Coordinator Stephen Rea.

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Currently, residents only receive alerts to landlines or registered cell phones. The text service should be available to the public in about a year. Until then, residents can register cell phone numbers at www.ReadySanDiego.org.

KPBS has created a public safety coverage policy to guide decisions on what stories we prioritize, as well as whose narratives we need to include to tell complete stories that best serve our audiences. This policy was shaped through months of training with the Poynter Institute and feedback from the community. You can read the full policy here.