SC Alerts
There are no active alerts at this time.
SC Alerts allow you to receive notifications affecting Strathcona County. This is a free service.
You can also sign up and manage your SC alerts through the Everbridge mobile app:
- Sign up on the App Store (iPhones)
- Sign up on the Google Play Store (Androids)
The SC Alert system is one of many available communication tools the County can use in an emergency/incident. Depending on the incident, alerts may be sent to all subscribers or those that have signed up to receive notifications for a specific address(es). Â
Alerts can include, but are not limited to:
- fire bans and advisories
- water bans and restrictions
- snow route parking bans
You can receive alerts through one or all of the following ways:
- phone call and voice mail (home and work)
- text messaging
Other emergency alerting systems
Alberta Emergency Alerts
When there are emergent and significant emergencies, Strathcona County will use Alberta Emergency Alerts. These notifications are broadcast over wireless text, television, radio and road signs. Alberta Emergency Alert notifications are sent to compatible cell phone and wireless devices. You do not need to sign up for these alerts and you cannot opt-out. Test alerts are sent periodically to all Albertans. Learn more about the wireless alerting system.Â
Industrial activities
Information on industrial activity is posted on the UPDATEline, 1-866-653-9959. This is a 24-hour number that residents can call to hear current information about non-routine industrial activity (unusual noises, alarms, training, flares, odours) and get emergency incident updates. The UPDATEline carries messages about industrial activities. This information line is administered by industry members (not Strathcona County).
Learn more about our industry partners:
- NRCAER (north Strathcona County)
- Strathcona Industrial Association (Sherwood Park)
Answers to your SC Alert questions
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1. What is the Strathcona County Alert system?
Permanent link to What is the Strathcona County Alert system?This service allows you to opt-in to receive notifications via phone calls, text messaging and e-mail based on locations you care about. You can choose to receive notifications about events that may affect your home, workplace, family’s schools and more.
Messages will be sent from “Strathcona County Alert System”. If you choose to receive notifications by phone, the call display number is 780-400-2010. This system is powered by Everbridge
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This system will be used to notify you about imminent threats to health and safety or work environments. Strathcona County system administrators will send notifications regarding:
- Mandatory emergency alerts (immediate threat to safety and well-being of some/all Strathcona County residents)
- Public safety notifications, including water, utility, fire, winter parking restrictions and RCMP alerts
Alert messages can also be sent to you about incidents happening near the locations you specified in your notification settings.
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The Strathcona County Alert System will send emergency messages to voluntary subscribers through the following means (depending on what method you select when signing up):
- home phone
- work phone
- cell phone (work and/or personal)
- email (work and personal)
- SMS text message
Subscribers can manage in what order they would prefer to receive alerts during the signing up process. Account settings can be managed by the subscriber after signing up. Because the system is so fast, you may receive your alerts not in the order you requested it.
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4. How can I tell if I signed up correctly?
Permanent link to How can I tell if I signed up correctly?You can use the self-test option to make sure that you are signed up for SC Alerts. Log-in to your account. On the “Home page”, click the “I am not a robot”, then click the “send test notification” button. A test alert will be sent to all registered notification choices you have selected.
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5. Why would I confirm receipt of the notification?
Permanent link to Why would I confirm receipt of the notification?Notifications may ask for confirmation of receipt. If you don't confirm receipt of the message, the system will try to reach your second or third contact number or email.
The system is very fast, and therefore there is a chance that even if you confirmed receipt of the message, you may receive a second one via other selected methods of communication (phone, text, email). Please continue to confirm receipt of the message as prompted by the system. In an emergency such as notice to evacuate or shelter-in-place, confirmation messages may be monitored and follow up messages sent if required.
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Alerts can be sent out according to the geographic area affected. You can enter up to five County addresses into the alert system. Addresses can include your workplace, children’s schools, daycare, home address, etc. Please note the system will issue only Strathcona County specific alerts.
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Signing up to receive Strathcona County Alerts is free. However, depending on your cell phone/texting package, you may incur charges from your mobility provider when you receive a Strathcona County Alert. Please contact your provider for information related to charges under your plan.
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8. Will I still get emergency notifications if I don't sign up?
Permanent link to Will I still get emergency notifications if I don't sign up?In the event of a significant local disaster, Strathcona County residents will also be notified through the Alberta Emergency Alert system. You will only receive Strathcona County Alerts if you sign up.
Information may also be made available through the following channels:
- Strathcona County website (www.strathcona.ca)
- local media outlets
- Strathcona County social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, X)
- industry UPDATEline (1-866-653-9959)
- door-to-door visits by emergency personnel (if necessary)
- electronic signs placed on major transportation routes (if necessary)
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9. How can I receive local weather warnings?
Permanent link to How can I receive local weather warnings?As of December 1, 2015, the SC Alert system will no longer issue weather warnings, unless there is an immediate threat to life safety. If that should happen (e.g. a tornado warning), a mandatory SC Alert will be issued to all subscribers.
Local weather information can be accessed through Environment Canada , by downloading weather-specific apps for mobile devices or from local media.
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10. What if my phone number or email address changes?
Permanent link to What if my phone number or email address changes?The system is only as good as the information you provide. If your contact information changes, you can always visit your profile and update your information. It is highly recommended to write down your username and password and keep it in a safe location.
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It is recommended you sign up for the alerts as an individual, rather than by family unit. This ensures the notification system reaches all parties through their own personal contact devices.
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12. I got a busy signal when I called back for more information.
Permanent link to I got a busy signal when I called back for more information.At times, a busy signal or continuous ringing may be heard if calling back to 780-400-2010 to receive more information about the alert. That is because all phone lines are in use - - stay on the phone and when a line becomes available, your call will be answered with a recorded message. Alternatively, you can hang up and try again.
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13. I don't have internet access. How can I sign up to receive Strathcona County Alerts?
Permanent link to I don't have internet access. How can I sign up to receive Strathcona County Alerts?Please contact the system administrator at 780-410-8550 and assistance will be provided over the phone.
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14. Will my contact information be shared with others?
Permanent link to Will my contact information be shared with others?No, the information you provide will be used only by Strathcona County for notification purposes. We will not give or sell your contact or location information to any vendor or other organization.
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15. What is the difference between Alberta Emergency Alert and the Strathcona County Alert system?
Permanent link to What is the difference between Alberta Emergency Alert and the Strathcona County Alert system?Alberta Emergency Alert is a provincially run emergency alert system that provides information on disasters throughout Alberta. Alberta Emergency Alerts that are life-threatening are broadcast over television, radio, road signs, cell phones and wireless devices that are compatible with wireless public alerting. Download the AEA app and follow Strathcona County to get notifed about non-life threatening local emergencies and updates to previous alerts (i.e. evacuation order has been lifted).
The Strathcona County Alert System only provides information specific to Strathcona County residents. You are encouraged to sign up for both systems (if you have a compatible cell phone or wireless device you do not have to sign up for Alberta Emergency Alerts).
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16. Why doesn't this system issue information about industrial activity?
Permanent link to Why doesn't this system issue information about industrial activity?
Information on industrial activity is posted on the UPDATEline: 1-866-653-9959. This is a 24-hour number that residents can call to hear current information about non-routine industry activity (unusual noises, alarms, training, flares, odours) and get emergency incident updates. The UPDATEline carries messages about industrial activities. This information line is administered by industry members.However, in the event of an emergency situation, Strathcona County Emergency Services will issue health and safety information through emergency notification channels, including this Strathcona County Alert System.
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17. What is the difference between shelter-in-place and evacuate?
Permanent link to What is the difference between shelter-in-place and evacuate?Shelter-in-place means to remain indoors, or if outside, go indoors immediately. Once indoors, you will need to:
- Have everyone in one room. Choose an interior room, if possible and stay away from the window.
- Close and lock all windows and doors.
- Turn off furnace, air conditioner and exhaust fans so outside air is not brought indoors.
- Extinguish indoor wood-burning fires.
- Follow local media for further instructions.
- If you smell natural gas, seal the room with wet towels at the base of the door and breathe through a damp towel to filter the air.
Evacuate means to leave the area immediately. If you are asked to evacuate, you will have little time to gather belongings so ensure you and your family have an emergency preparedness kit ready at all times. An emergency preparedness list of kit contents is available here.
If you evacuate, follow the local media for instructions and shut off utilities if instructed to do so. Take your emergency preparedness kit and identification with you and ensure your pets are cared for. Lock your home and register at the predetermined Reception Centre, even if you do not plan to stay there. This is important so that officials can get a hold of you to advise you to return to your home.
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If you require further assistance, or have questions regarding Strathcona County Alert System, contact Emergency Services.
780-410-8550
emergencyservices@strathcona.ca -
19. What if I want to unsubscribe to Strathcona County Alerts?
Permanent link to What if I want to unsubscribe to Strathcona County Alerts?You can delete your own account by signing in with your username and password, and clicking on the "Delete My Account" button on the profile home page. Alternatively, contact the system administrator at 780-410-8550.
The Strathcona County Alert system complements the Alberta Emergency Alert system. Member data is not shared between the two systems so residents wanting local alerts as well as provincial ones must sign up for one or both. In a large scale emergency, both systems will be used to notify residents.
Questions?
emergencymanagement@strathcona.ca
780-410-8550
Last updated: Thursday, April 11, 2024
Page ID: 43944