El Mirage updates residents on ‘My Alerts’ mass-notification system; 15,176 contacts recorded

City communications staff updated the El Mirage Common Council on Oct. 21 about the city’s mass-notification system branded “My Alerts,” which the city launched June 24, 2025.

Carrie Sliva, the city’s public information officer, told the council the system had amassed 15,176 contacts composed of utility customers, businesses and opt-in subscribers, and that the city had sent 17 alerts since the launch. The National Weather Service in Phoenix has sent 12 weather messages through the system.

Sliva outlined how residents can sign up and personalize delivery preferences (email, text, phone, or the My Alerts app) and explained the difference between emergency and nonemergency messages. “An emergency message would be sent for any occasion or instance that poses an imminent threat to the public at large that warrants action to save lives and to protect property, public health, and safety,” Sliva said. She added that so far none of the city’s alerts have risen to the emergency level and that city staff follow protocols aligned with the city’s emergency operations plan.

Sliva explained that geotargeted advisories—such as traffic collisions, road closures and temporary water shutoffs—require accurate address information in a subscriber’s profile to be delivered to the appropriate area. She recommended residents enter addresses when they sign up or use the My Alerts mobile app, which can send notifications based on a phone’s location.

The city plans continued outreach, and staff provided signup instructions (elmirageaz.gov/alerts) and a text-signup option via code 38276 (text “ElMirage all” to opt into all lists). Council members commended the program and reported positive feedback from residents.