Santa Barbara County relabeling emergency alerts
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management is relabeling the system it uses to issue emergency alerts.
The county's alert system was previously called "Aware and Prepare," but now the Office of Emergency Management says it will be referred to as "ReadySBC" alerts.
OEM Director Kelly Hubbard tells our newsroom it is essentially the same system. Anyone who previously registered with Aware and Prepare will still receive alerts.
She says Aware and Prepare started as a non-profit in Santa Barbara County, but now the system is used statewide. In order to avoid any confusion, the county decided to relabel the alert system. ReadySBC.org is already used to release updated emergency information online, so the name will be familiar to Santa Barbara County residents.
Hubbard said her office wants to get the word out so people aren't surprised when they see the term "ReadySBC" on emergency alerts, instead of "Aware and Prepare."
The Office of Emergency Management is always reviewing alert notification procedures. Right now, emergency officials are looking at the latest guidance issued statewide on warning systems.
"There have been so many incidents in the state of California over the last couple of years. We want to make sure all of our messaging is up to the current best practices," said Hubbard.
Even if you previously signed up for alerts, Hubbard said it is always a good idea to log in periodically and make sure your information is updated.
To register or to update your emergency information, click here.
