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Gonzales council hears update on Everbridge and IPAWS emergency-notification setup; staff outline outreach needs
Summary
Staff reported progress configuring Everbridge ResidentConnect (2,964 contacts uploaded), the federally routed IPAWS emergency alerts, and an employee notification tool. Officials discussed opt-in vs. opt-out differences, outreach to seniors and non-English speakers, and next steps for FEMA clearance and testing.
City staff briefed the City Council on Sept. 15 about the new Everbridge emergency-notification system integration, explaining features for nonemergency ResidentConnect messaging, federally routed IPAWS emergency alerts and an employee notification tool.
Jessica Olmedo, recreation coordinator and administrative analyst, said staff had "worked with the staff to be able to upload 2,964 contacts into the ResidentConnect system" and described ResidentConnect as a nonemergency channel for items such as street closures and water-quality messages. Olmedo said the ResidentConnect sign-up allows residents to choose email or text delivery and that staff plan outreach via the city website, social media, the city newsletter and in-person events.
Chief Musio (public safety) described the IPAWS component as the emergency-alerting channel that delivers messages directly to cell phones in a geographic area without an opt-in: "These notifications go direct to cell phones. The resident does not have to opt in." He said three officials — himself, the city manager and Chief Wise — are authorized to send IPAWS alerts and that FEMA clearance and recurring testing are required before going live.
Musio also described "employee.org," a part of the purchase that allows the city manager to send mass texts to city employees for operational or emergency coordination.
Why it matters: Staff emphasized the technical distinction between ResidentConnect (opt-in for targeted nonemergency messaging) and IPAWS (opt-out, geographically targeted emergency alerts). Council members and public speakers raised equity and accessibility concerns: one council member noted seniors and residents with flip phones or limited English might not receive or read text alerts, and staff said ResidentConnect can deliver messages by email and that text-to-speech is available on some devices.
Next steps: Musio said the council previously approved a memorandum of agreement to use IPAWS and staff are completing additional federal application steps and testing, aiming to go live within roughly 30 days if approvals and configuration are completed. Staff committed to bilingual outreach and targeted in-person sign-up assistance for seniors via existing city programs.
Ending: Council received the briefing and asked staff to continue outreach to senior groups and to confirm bilingual messaging and alternate delivery options for residents without smartphones.
