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Farmers Branch reviews 'Branch Alert' enrollment, clarifies siren purpose and plans signup push
Summary
City staff reviewed the Everbridge‑powered Branch Alert system after post‑storm address mapping errors, clarified that outdoor sirens are intended only to warn people who are outdoors, and proposed a seasonal outreach campaign to raise signups above the current 2,300 registrants.
City staff on Tuesday briefed the Farmers Branch City Council on its Branch Alert mass‑notification system and outdoor warning sirens, describing recent fixes and a plan to boost resident enrollment.
Luke, a city staff member presenting the system update, said the city uses Everbridge for Branch Alert and discovered after the late‑May storms that a small number of registrants had incorrect location mapping. Luke said he corrected the addresses and worked with Everbridge on the problem.
"We found a known issue with the Everbridge system... it was actually plotting them up in Illinois even though it was a Farmers Branch address," Luke said.
The presentation explained the difference between the automated Branch Alert messages (which are delivered when the National Weather Service issues a warning) and outdoor warning sirens. The presenter emphasized that sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors to seek shelter and that they may not be audible indoors, especially in high winds.
"Sirens are only designed to be heard outdoors," Luke said; he added that the city tests sirens monthly on the first Wednesday at 1 p.m., weather permitting.
Jeff Brady, a city staff member leading communications suggestions, recommended recurring signup campaigns timed before severe‑weather seasons, using the branch bulletin, social media, digital monitors and the city’s printed newsletter to promote enrollment. Staff reported 2,300 current registered users and 109 new signups since the May storms.
Council members asked about routine testing of the Everbridge system and easier signup options such as text‑to‑join; staff said Everbridge requires account creation and does not support a simple text‑to‑join workflow with the city’s current configuration. Staff agreed to explore options and to provide further detail on possible interoperability or alternatives.
Ending: Staff will return with outreach materials and proposed campaign timing and said they will provide follow‑up on testing options and any technical fixes coordinated with Everbridge.
