Gonzales City officials provided a significant update on the implementation of the Everbridge citywide alert system during the recent Joint City Council and Safety Advisory meeting. This system, funded by a grant from the Department of Water Resources, aims to enhance communication with residents regarding both emergency and non-emergency situations.

Chief Muship and Jessica, a key staff member, detailed the progress made in setting up the Everbridge system, which includes a feature called Resident Connect. This tool will allow the city to send important non-emergency notifications, such as street closures and water quality updates, to residents who opt in. So far, nearly 3,000 contacts have been uploaded into the system, and officials emphasized the importance of community members signing up to receive these notifications via email or text.

In addition to Resident Connect, the meeting highlighted the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), which will be used for critical emergency alerts, such as evacuation orders. Unlike Resident Connect, IPAWS does not require residents to opt in; alerts will automatically be sent to cell phones within designated geographic areas. City officials, including the city manager and police chief, have undergone training to ensure they can effectively utilize this system when necessary.

Concerns were raised during the meeting regarding accessibility for senior citizens and those without smartphones. City officials acknowledged these issues and discussed outreach efforts to ensure that vulnerable populations are informed during emergencies. They plan to engage with local senior groups to keep communication lines open and ensure that all residents are aware of the alert systems in place.

As Gonzales moves forward with these initiatives, city leaders are committed to enhancing public safety and ensuring that all community members are equipped with the information they need in both emergency and non-emergency situations. Further updates on the rollout of these systems are expected in the coming weeks.