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County switches citizen-alert system to HyperReach, citing cost and features
Summary
Stark County voted to move its emergency citizen-alerting system from Everbridge to HyperReach, aiming to cut recurring costs, add special‑needs tagging and improve user sign‑up and customer service; staff targeted a January 1 live date to complete the transition.
Stark County authorized a contract to move its citizen-alerting platform from Everbridge to HyperReach on July 7, with emergency manager Elena Scott saying HyperReach will reduce annual costs and add features such as special‑needs tagging, easier sign‑up and broader cross‑jurisdiction alerts.
Scott told commissioners Everbridge currently costs the county about $10,471 a year; HyperReach’s first contract year would be prorated to cover 41 months for an initial transition period and then about $8,975 per year after that. She said HyperReach offers added capabilities (opt‑in special‑needs flags, social‑media messaging support and simpler citizen sign‑up), better customer responsiveness and the ability to auto‑enroll residents from landline/cellular data. Scott proposed a January 1 live date to allow testing and FEMA/state notification processes to be completed.
Commissioners moved and approved the change; staff will handle contract execution and public communications, including a media push to inform citizens about the new sign‑up process. Scott said she will coordinate with FEMA and the state to register the new platform and organize practice notifications for residents.
