In a move designed to enhance emergency communications, the City of Sandy Springs has announced a new partnership with Everbridge to power the Sandy Springs Alerts system, which will provide residents with timely notifications about serious events such as severe weather and power outages. According to the Sandy Springs press release, to receive the alerts as they are issued, citizens can sign up online at Spr.gs/Alerts or by downloading the app available on both the Apple Store and Google Play.
The transition from the Smart 911 system to Everbridge necessitates that residents who had previously registered for Sandy Springs Alerts to update their information and customize how they wish to be alerted, they can select to be notified via text, phone call or email as communicated by the city. Until August 14, the existing Smart 911 alerts will continue to function alongside the new system, aiding in a smoother transition process.
Everbridge's robust database, which now includes over 71,000 entries, will greatly improve the city's ability to send out critical life-saving communications. While life-threatening situations will benefit from accessing the Everbridge database, the system will resort to a localized registration list for disseminating other types of emergency information.
The City Manager of Sandy Springs, Eden Freeman, stressed the importance of efficiency in emergency notifications; "With every emergency situation, it’s imperative that we get residents the information they need in a timely and effective manner," Freeman said, as per the Sandy Springs press release.
