(Woodland, CA) – On August 25th at 10:20 AM, Yolo County will participate in a tri-county mass notification exercise. We urge residents and businesses to use this opportunity to prepare for the many hazards that threaten our community and to take proactive steps to ensure you receive timely information during those emergencies.

"Emergency exercises play an important role, allowing emergency responders throughout Yolo County to practice and be ready for future emergencies," said Yolo County Emergency Services Manager Dana Carey. "On August 25, Yolo County will hold two emergency exercises – testing the emergency alert system and responding to a delta flood scenario."

These past winter seasons are reminders of our flood threats in the area, and we currently see the danger posed by wildfire and grassland fires throughout the state. Both wildfires and storm flooding occur rapidly, forcing evacuations and road closures in neighborhoods. Yolo Alert, the County's mass notification system – built upon the Everbridge® Platform – is a critical link for residents to learn immediately of any required actions, like evacuating their homes during an imminent fire. Yolo County and city partners rely heavily on this communication tool to warn you of potential hazards and the actions you and your family can take to remain safe.

On August 25, 2022, Sacramento, Yolo, and Placer County residents will receive a call to exercise the Sacramento Region Emergency Alert Notification System. The drill will replicate a large-scale, multi-jurisdictional emergency requiring thousands of numbers to be called simultaneously across the Sacramento tri-county region.

The distinctive feature of Yolo Alert is the ability to register more than one contact method at a specific address. Registrations of cell phones and alternate numbers dramatically increase the ability to reach a significant number of community members within minutes. This enables landlines, cell phones, and email addresses to integrate into a single notification system.

The newest system feature is the Everbridge® "App," which will send push notifications based on your smartphone's location during an emergency. The alert can warn you of evacuation areas, flooded road conditions, police emergencies requiring shelter in place, and much more. App downloads are available from the Apple Store for iOS devices and the Google Play store for Android.

Residents can do their part to prepare for emergencies by registering for Yolo Alert. The time is now to self-register cell phone numbers and email addresses and download the App to be a part of the regional Exercise.

For more information or to register alternate phone numbers or email addresses, visit www.yolo-alert.org