FAQ

Sudbury Alerts is a mass notification system used by the City of Greater Sudbury to issue emergency notification to the public of community-wide and localized emergencies, as well as other significant situations that may affect public safety. The system delivers notification to residents and businesses via telephone, cell phone, text message, fax or email.

Alert Ready is a system that allows Canadian government officials at the federal, provincial and municipal level to issue all types of public safety messages. It is designed to send notifications to the public over radio and television. Sudbury Alerts only provides emergency information specific to residents of Greater Sudbury. Emergency notifications are sent to residents via contact information listed in the White or Yellow Pages as well as contact information registered on the member portal.

Timely, trusted and targeted emergency notification messages will be sent to you via text to a cell phone, voice mail recording to your home or work phone, and/or an email message depending on your individual preference. The Sudbury Alerts system has a high priority calling status and capacity to reach tens of thousands of residents within seconds. Sudbury

Alerts can also be targeted to only send messages to residents  in a certain area or neighbourhood.

Examples of emergency situations that would trigger Sudbury Alerts notifications include extreme weather situations (i.e. tornadoes), hazardous material spills, wildfires or other situations that could create an imminent threat to public safety. In the case of a required evacuation, shelter-in-place or other emergency situation, Sudbury Alerts will be used to share emergency action messages so you can take steps to ensure your personal safety and potentially protect or minimize damage to your property.

We all have a role to play in ensuring our community is prepared for an emergency and can respond effectively to a disaster.  The City of Greater Sudbury, through the Emergency Management Office, works with trusted local agencies to ensure the safety of our residents.

Visit www.greatersudbury.ca/sudburyalerts to create your personal profile. You may also sign-up family members and indicate their preferred method for receiving Sudbury Alerts emergency notifications. For example, you can choose that your children receive Sudbury Alerts notifications via text messages, while your preferred method to receive notifications is via email.

If you don’t sign up, you may still receive emergency notifications on your home phone if the number is publicly available through the White or Yellow Pages. However, it's always best to sign up to make sure we have your correct contact information and to allow you to customize the way you would prefer to be notified.

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.

No. If you get an emergency notification regarding a situation in your area, the 911 systems are already aware of the situation and very busy. Instead, follow the notification instructions.

If you are aware of a situation occurring in your area, do not wait for a call if you do not feel safe. Take action as you see fit depending on the emergency.

No. The information you provide will be used for emergency purposes only. We will not give or sell your information to any other vendor, service or organization. Personal information collected is pursuant to the Municipal Act, 2001 as amended and will be used for the administration of the municipality.

Yes, you may register two TTY contact numbers per household.

There are places around Greater Sudbury with free internet services including Greater Sudbury Public Libraries. Greater Sudbury Emergency Services conducts ongoing education and outreach activities throughout the city to provide information about the Sudbury Alerts system, and can assist residents with their Sudbury Alerts sign up.

If your cell phone, work phone or email address changes, you are responsible for going to the website and updating your information.

When the emergency notification is activated, the system will make several attempts to reach the registered numbers. Due to the emergency, phone systems including land line and cell service may be inundated with calls and your provider may not be able to deliver the message. We do not assume legal responsibility for technical difficulties that may result in notification failures.

Sudbury Alerts will be tested annually during Emergency Preparedness Week in May. Residents will be notified in advance so they have time to check their settings and make any necessary changes.

If you have any questions regarding Sudbury Alerts, please contact 311 or email sudburyalerts@greatersudbury.ca.