AC Alert Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In the event of an immediate threat to your life, health or
safety, you could receive a call, text message or email from the City of
Berkeley with recorded information and instructions. Please read the following
frequently asked questions about AC Alert.
General Questions
What is AC Alert?
AC Alert is a public notification system for Alameda County. Berkeley uses AC Alert to
share information and emergency instructions with the community.
What does this cost?
There is no cost for the system. Your phone carrier’s normal
phone and messaging rates will apply.
Subscribing to receive messages
Do I need to sign up?
Listed AT&T land line phone numbers in Berkeley will
automatically receive voice calls for emergency warnings.
For all other contact numbers/methods, you must sign up
through the AC Alert website.
Can I sign up even if I don't live or work in Berkeley?
Yes. AC Alert enrollment is open to everyone.
Do I need to provide an address?
You are not required to provide a physical address but it is
strongly recommended.
Most AC Alert messages are sent to a targeted geographical
area. For example, if the Berkeley hills were threatened by a wildland fire, an
emergency warning message through AC Alert would target addresses in the
threatened area.
By providing one or more addresses associated with your
account, you are increasing the likelihood that you will be contacted if an
emergency occurs in an area you care about. This could include your work
address, children's school, or other important locations.
I signed up a mobile phone number that has a non-local area
code. Will I still receive calls?
Yes. Your phone’s area code does not impact whether or not a
call AC Alert calls you.
I signed up several communication devices. Will AC Alert
contact me on all of my devices?
For most messages, AC Alert will reach out to your contact numbers/methods
in the order you provided when signing up. In most cases, you can confirm that
you have received the message and the system will cease attempts to contact you
on the other contact numbers/methods you provided. If you do not confirm, the
system will continue to attempt to reach you using all of the contact numbers/methods
that you have provided.
Why do I have to sign up my unlisted, TTY/TDD, VoIP, and
digital phone service numbers instead of being enrolled automatically?
AT&T only provides information about listed land lines.
No other services provide their subscriber information to the City.
The only way AC Alert can contact unlisted, TTY/TDD, VoIP,
or digital phone service numbers is if they sign up for AC Alert themselves.
Getting AC Alert Messages
Why am I receiving messages if I never enrolled in AC Alert?
Listed AT&T land lines are automatically enrolled to
receive voice calls with emergency warnings from AC Alert.
Why are messages I receive through AC Alert different
depending on the device I use?
Each mode of communication has different limitations.
Messages received by phone and email can be longer than text messages.
How reliable is AC Alert message delivery? Will AC
Alert work in an earthquake?
While the City has made every effort to ensure reliability
of its notification systems, delivery of AC Alert messages depends on external
networks and providers outside the City’s control.
To maximize the likelihood that your AC Alert messages will
reach you, subscribe as many means of contact as possible. Mobile phones, land
line phones, and email systems all use different equipment and may be affected
differently in an emergency.
User Information and Privacy
How do you know my phone number?
AT&T provides Alameda County with telephone and address
information for listed landlines.
How will the AC Alert use my information?
This information will only be used for AC Alert messaging
and will not be used or distributed for any other reason.
Can anyone else get my contact information?
The information provided by AT&T and community members
is kept confidential and would only be disclosed if required by a court of law.
There is a logo on the signup page— who is Everbridge?
Everbridge is the emergency notification platform that
supports the AC Alert system. By contract, Everbridge cannot use any
information provided by community members for any other client or service and
all information is kept confidential.
Other Emergency Preparedness
Resources
Is this the same as the Nixle system used by the Berkeley
Police Department?
No. Nixle is focused on law enforcement issues. AC Alert and
Nixle may occasionally carry the same messages, but AC Alert is Berkeley’s
primary emergency notification system for the public.
Is this the same as the University of California
Berkeley's WarnMe system?
No. While UC Berkeley and the City of Berkeley cooperate on
public safety issues, AC Alert and the WarnMe system
are separate. If you have already signed up for WarnMe,
you must still sign up separately
for AC Alert.
What else can I do to get ready for emergencies and
disasters?
Visit the Berkeley Ready page to learn more about Berkeley’s preparedness efforts and to find
important information to help you, your family, and your community build
disaster resilience.
What happened to the Berkeley Emergency Notification System
(BENS)?
On July 1, 2017, the City of Berkeley stopped using the
Berkeley Emergency Notification System (BENS) and joined Alameda County’s AC Alert System.
BENS subscribers were NOT
automatically enrolled in AC Alert, and must sign up for emergency
alerts and other notifications at the AC Alert website.
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