Emergency Communications
Campaign Update
John Cihomsky
Chief Communications
Officer
April 21, 2026
Overview of Existing Notification Tools
• Integrated Public Alert and Warning System
(IPAWS)
• Managed by FEMA, IPAWS is the secure
platform cities, counties, states and federal
agencies use to send official emergency alerts
• The County of San Diego Office of Emergency
Services is the Administrator for IPAWS in our
county
• The City (and other municipalities) have
access and are authorized to use IPAWS
through established agreements with the
County of San Diego.
Overview of Existing Notification Tools
• Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA)
• WEA is a delivery method within IPAWS
• Other methods include broadcast alerts on
the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and
NOAA Weather Radio
• WEAs are short, urgent messages sent
to mobile phones via cell towers (like
an AMBER alert)
• Public not required to sign up for WEAs
• The City has the authority to issue a
WEA when necessary, following all
required guidelines
• While delivery method is geotargeted,
messaging often extends outside the
intended area
WEA Message
Categories
• Specific WEA message categories exist to
provide clear direction to recipients:
• Shelter: Take shelter in place
• Evacuate: Relocate as instructed
• Prepare: Make appropriate preparations
• Execute: Execute a pre-planned activity
• Avoid: Avoid a certain area
• Monitor: Attend to information sources
for more details
WEA Messaging
Message Format
•Source, Threat, Location, Guidance/Time,
Additional Info
Example 1 (90 characters)
•CVFD. Wildfire in Rolling Hills Ranch.
Evacuate via Telegraph Cyn Rd. See
AlertSD.org
Example 2 (360 characters)
•Chula Vista Fire Dept. has issued an
evacuation alert for the Rolling Hills Ranch
neighborhood due to an advancing wildfire.
Evacuate now to points west via Proctor
Valley Rd. or Telegraph Cyn Rd. Evacuation
center at Southwestern College at 900 Otay
Lakes Rd. For more information, visit
WEA
Monitor
Message
• When an emergency first erupts, an
initial WEA can alert the public
about the incident and provide
direction on how to continually
monitor the situation through the
City’s website or social media
channels
• Once the public’s attention is
captured, frequent updates can be
provided via the above channels
• If warranted, additional WEAs
would be issued to communicate
critical life-safety information
and any necessary actionable
updates
WEA Monitor Message
Example
• Note: Typing @thinkchulavista
into a browser brings up links
to all the City’s social media
channels and website
Wildfire on Otay Mountain in east Chula
Vista. No immediate threat. For updates
about this incident search @thinkchulavista
or visit www.chulavistaca.gov or
AlertSD.org.
Delivery Method:
Emergency Apps
• Genasys Protect – an evacuation mapping app that pushes targeted notifications to specific neighborhoods or an entire region. Residents can subscribe to geographic zones that are most common to their everyday life. The Genasys Protect app allows up to 1,200 characters, providing much more detail than WEA. The Genasys Protect app is used in conjunction with WEAs and AlertSanDiego notifications.
• AlertSanDiego – the region’s official opt-in emergency notification system and information hub, used by the City, to send urgent alerts to residents during critical incidents.
Residents can choose how to receive their alerts (text, phone, email, etc.).
• Messages can be in both English and Spanish
Citywide Emergency Alert Awareness
Campaign
Objectives
• Increase resident sign-ups of the Genasys Protect and AlertSanDiego apps so they can receive critical, in-the-moment alerts during an emergency • Educate residents how they can receive frequent informational updates from the City through its social media channels and website during an emergency Tactics
• Media Relations / Campaign Launch
• Campaign launch on Saturday, May 2, National Wildfire Preparedness Day, at Fire Station 5; incorporate Animal Services / Nat’l Animal Disaster Preparedness Day • Continued opportunities around state and national disaster observances such as The Great American ShakeOut
Awareness Campaign cont’d
• Social Media Campaign
• Emergency app how-to video
• Social media posts
• Community Voices Survey
• Community Connections e-newsletter
• Councilmember newsletters
• Special Events
• Tabling opportunities at special events, eg, 4thFest, HarborFest, to promote sign-ups Assessment
• Conduct annual citywide on NextDoor test three months after campaign launch • Measure increase in app contact records after six months