14.020 - Notification Protocols-AlertSeattle

Effective Date: 10/05/2016

14.020-POL

The Department utilizes the City’s AlertSeattle system to achieve the following objectives:

- Rapidly mobilizing emergency responders during events such as active-shooters, serial arsons, flooding, landslides or possible train derailments

- Alerting the necessary command staff and personnel based on the need of a specific incident

- Sending emergency information to the public for taking immediate life-protective measures

- Alerts will be delivered within the City’s boundaries and the service areas of Seattle Public Utilities, as well as other key areas that could be affected by City infrastructures.

1. The Department Uses the Notification Protocol Document for Internal Notifications

The Communications Section will notify specific units, positions and individuals based on the type of incident and response required.

The Communications Section will maintain the Notification Protocol document. 

2. The Department Uses AlertSeattle to Make Notifications to the Public

Members of the public may register to receive notifications from AlertSeattle. Members of the public who register will receive official City alerts via text message, email and voice message.

Employees may inform the public:

- They can register for AlertSeattle at alert.seattle.gov.

- That alerts are sent 24/7 when there is a significant risk to life and property

- That alerts can be sent city-wide or to a specific area or neighborhood

- That AlertSeattle is a FREE service

3. Employees Utilize AlertSeattle to Inform the Public of Emergent Life Safety Events

Employees perceiving that there is an occurring or potential emergency that could cause serious injury, loss of life, or serious property damage and that the public safety may benefit from being made aware of via AlertSeattle, may request a public notification.

4. Employees May Activate AlertSeattle Through Their Chain of Command

See 14.020-PRO-1 Notifying the Public of an Emerging Life Safety Issue

5. The Duty Captain or an Assistant Chief Approves Requests for AlertSeattle Notifications

A captain or incident commander will work with the Public Affairs Unit to draft the content of a public AlertSeattle notification, as well as cancel or rescind the alert when appropriate.

 14.020-PRO-1 Notifying the Public of an Emergent Life Safety Issue

Employee

1. Identifies that an emergent situation requires public notification through AlertSeattle.

2. Informs their supervisor/sergeant as soon as practical of the need for an AlertSeattle notification.

Sergeant

3. Reviews the request and forwards the request up the chain of command to the level of captain (or Duty Captain if an on-duty captain is not available.)

Captain

4. Reviews the request, drafts the content of the alert.

5. Contacts the Public Affairs Unit with the drafted content.

- Note: Updates are completed using the same procedural steps as initiating the original alert.

Public Affairs Unit

6. Reviews the request and assists in determining if an AlertSeattle message is needed or appropriate.

7. Reviews and assists in drafting content as needed.

8. Sends the AlertSeattle notification.

Captain

9. Clears/rescinds the AlertSeattle notification through the Public Affairs Unit.