To help residents stay informed, Sarasota County is launching a mass-notification system called Alert Sarasota County, hosted by Everbridge, as part of a partnership with the state of Florida, the cities of Sarasota, Venice, North Port and Town of Longboat Key. Alert Sarasota County, which replaces the CodeRED notification system, will be used to communicate public health and safety topics affecting Sarasota County. Available alerts include severe weather, sewage spills, mosquito management and boil water notices.

"Coming together for this important collaboration with our local municipalities allows us to bring our community vital information about their safety in a timely manner," said Sarasota County Emergency Services Director Rich Collins.

Users can choose the types of alerts and how to receive them when registering their new account. These options can be changed at any time. Users can also sign up to receive a message when new types of alerts are available. Alert Sarasota County can send alerts to users via landline phone, cell phone, text message, email, TDD/TTY, smartphone app push notification, or a combination of these methods.

Users can sign up for alerts by registering with their home address. County and municipality alerts can differ. To start receiving alerts, sign up in the following ways:  Download the free Everbridge mobile app. In the app, select "find organization or subscription," type your jurisdiction in to the search bar and log in or register a new account. Create an account at alertsarasotacounty.com. The app will also allow for alerts from surrounding cities and the county without the user having to sign up for additional alerts.

When signing up through alertsarasotacounty.com, users can enter their home address to the jurisdiction map to determine which jurisdiction's alerts to receive.

Jurisdictions part of Alert Sarasota County:
Alert Sarasota County - Sarasota County Government.
Alert Sarasota County - City of Sarasota.
Alert Sarasota County - City of North Port.
Alert Sarasota County - City of Venice - Coming Soon.
Alert Sarasota County - Town of Longboat Key (Alert Longboat Key).
The City of Venice is currently transitioning to the new notification system.

The contact information for those who previously signed up for CodeRED or COVID-19 text alerts may not transfer. They may need to sign up for a new Alert Sarasota County account. Sarasota County's contract with CodeRED ends July 2020. "This technology will not only serve to notify our community of emergencies, it will also allow us to reallocate tax-payer dollars to another priority, rather than paying for a notification system," said Collins. The use of this mass-notification system - provided through the host company, Everbridge - is at no cost to Sarasota County or participating municipalities. The state of Florida currently holds a contract with Everbridge, the Alert Sarasota County host. The entire cost of the five-year, $3.5 million contract is borne by the state's Alert Florida program. The state's contract with Everbridge expires July 30, 2024.

"We're very excited to team up with Sarasota County and our other municipal partners to launch this powerful reporting tool. Our residents will be informed like never before," said City of North Port Public Information Officer Josh Taylor.

"We're looking forward to the Everbridge system providing valuable, timely information for our citizens on a variety of critical issues via phone, text message and email," said Venice Deputy Fire Chief Frank Giddens, Emergency Manager for the City of Venice.

"In today's world, it's essential that we all take steps to improve our situational awareness and be prepared in case of emergency," said City of Sarasota Emergency Manager Todd Kerkering. "Signing up for Alert Sarasota County is the best way for our residents to stay updated and informed about what's happening in their community and ensure they'll receive the critical information they need to know."

"The most important thing we do is public safety, and timely emergency messaging is a critical component of keeping residents safe. We appreciate the regional coordination to launch this robust emergency notification system. As a coastal barrier island, this is a critical tool in our emergency management toolbox. We urge our residents to register for Alert Longboat Key to ensure direct delivery of timely emergency information," said Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer.

For more info.