Oceanside Police Department officials are excited to announce that Ready Oceanside is now available to all residents, replacing the previous Nixle Alert System. The Oceanside Police Department will discontinue using the Nixle Alert System effective March 24, 2023. The new Ready Oceanside alert system is a free service that allows individuals to sign up for notifications sent from state and local authorities. The new features offered by Ready Oceanside alerts include text, email, and voice alerts, including maps, images, and multiple languages. Provided by funding through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Ready Oceanside informs residents and travelers on potentially hazardous situations involving police activity, weather, road closures, and other emergencies.
“Ready Oceanside enables first responders to notify the community in real-time,” said Police Chief Fred Armijo. “This service allows for critical communication with the public and provides individuals with the information needed to stay safe or take precautions during hazardous or emergency situations.”
The switch to Ready Oceanside enables residents and travelers to Oceanside to sign up for free at https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=oceansideca or by texting “Oceanside” to 67283 to receive timely and actionable emergency alerts via email, text or voice message. They can also identify when and how they are alerted and communicated with before, during, and after emergencies.
“Community members will receive notifications that will improve safety in our city and help inform residents of potentially lifesaving actions they may need to take in an emergency,” said Chief Armijo. “The information sent out by Ready Oceanside through emergency notifications allows residents and first responders to be better informed in an emergency.”
Oceanside residents and travelers can also download the Smart911 app to sign up for Ready Oceanside alerts to receive key information needed in an emergency. The Smart911 app provides enhanced functionality by sending targeted alerts based on the user’s location. Smart911 app users will receive the highest priority National Weather Service alerts, including tornado warnings, flash flood warnings, and severe thunderstorm warnings based on real-time location. The Smart 911 app is trusted by thousands of institutions, including state and local authorities, businesses, and educational institutions. Community members are encouraged to sign up for Ready Oceanside and input their information and notification preferences today. Download the Smart911 App on the Apple Store or Google Play or by texting “Smart911” to 67283.
“When our community has verified information about a situation, such as a natural disaster or public safety emergency, they can be more effective in taking appropriate measures to guard their safety and assist their family and neighbors in doing the same,” said Oceanside Police Public Information Officer Jennifer Atenza. “We know emergencies are not a matter of if, they are a matter of when and when they occur we want to empower our residents and visitors to be best informed and prepared. We encourage all who live, work, and visit Oceanside to sign up for Ready Oceanside alerts today to stay connected.”
For additional information about this new alert system or media inquiries regarding this release, please contact Oceanside Police Department Public Information Officer Jennifer Atenza at (760) 277-5237 or email jatenza@oceansideca.org.
