Alert Gaithersburg, the Emergency Notification System
Posted 10/9/2008

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Alert Gaithersburg is an emergency notification system that can immediately contact subscribers during a major crisis or emergency. It delivers important emergency alerts, notifications and updates to several electronic devices simultaneously, including multiple e-mail accounts (work, home, etc.), cell phones, text pagers, and wireless PDA’s.

When an incident or emergency occurs, authorized senders will instantly notify subscribers with instructions on where to go, what to do, or what not to do, who to contact and other important information. This system also allows emergency messages from Montgomery County's Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to be sent via the Alert Gaithersburg system.

“Alert Gaithersburg is an invaluable communication tool,” said City Manager Angel Jones.  “In times of emergency we must use all means possible to let the community know what’s going on and how they can best keep themselves and their families safe.”

Subscribers will automatically receive emergency messages from the City of Gaithersburg and Montgomery County Government, and may also opt to receive messages regarding traffic and weather emergencies from Montgomery County.

“Many things can significantly disrupt our lives, “said Gaithersburg’s Emergency Management Coordinator Skip Lanham.  “For example, recent interruptions of power, water and telephone service created potentially dangerous situations.  With the Alert system we were able to communicate quickly and efficiently to Gaithersburg residents.  It is our goal to get all residents to subscribe to this crticial service. ”  

Please note that while signing up for Alert Gaithersburg is free of charge, an individual’s wireless carrier may charge a fee to receive text messages. Subscribers are encouraged to check their wireless service agreements for details. Alert Gaitherburg text messages will be kept as short as possible to minimize the impact of any carrier fees.

Alert Gaithersburg complements myGaithersburg, the City’s weekly e-mail-only news service. While Alert Gaithersburg is generally reserved for emergency and on-going situations, myGaithersburg provides comprehensive cultural and leisure event listings, program cancellations due to weather, job postings, bid opportunities, meeting minutes and notifications, and much more.

The Alert Gaithersburg system was funded and is maintained with grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments. The system is part of a wider regional Roam Secure Network.

To subscribe to Alert Gaithersburg, update or change your contact information or remove yourself from the Alert Gaithersburg system please visit http://alert.gaithersburgmd.gov. For more information please contact the Gaithersburg Police Department at 301-258-6400 or cityhall@gaithersburgmd.gov.