Statham staff to issue RFP for emergency-alert system, council asked which features to prioritize

City staff told the Statham mayor and council on Jan. 7 that they will pursue a request-for-proposals (RFP) to find a vendor for an emergency-alert system that can deliver targeted messages to residents.

"What kind of system, and what are the functions that you would like for it to have? This way, we can go out for a RFP, and we can see what is out there being offered, true cost of what it costs to provide this to your citizens," the staff member said, asking council members to identify priorities such as boil-water advisories, weather warnings and event notices.

Staff described the city's current practice of relying on Barrow County sign-ups and the city Facebook page for public notices but said a vendor-based system could allow area-targeted alerts for events such as a localized boil-water advisory. The staff member said some incidents affect only part of the city — for example, a prior advisory that affected the Oak Springs Trailer Park was handled with hand-delivered letters — and that vendors bill based on a baseline package plus per-text charges.

The staff member proposed advertising an RFP, reviewing vendor demonstrations (typically by Zoom), and returning to council with cost estimates and vendor comparisons before any contract vote.

Council members asked for a vendor presentation option and for staff to check other nearby cities' experiences. Staff said the procurement would be a contract requiring a council vote once a recommended vendor and price are identified.

Next steps: staff will draft and advertise an RFP, solicit vendor demonstrations and report back to the council with proposals and estimated costs for council review.