Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) Emergency Management uses several methods to warn the public about potential hazards and dangerous situations in Clark County.
Each alerting method has specific strengths and limitations. No single notification system works in every situation.
Some systems require residents to register in advance to receive the full benefit, while others require little more than owning a smartphone or paying attention to alert tones on radio or television.
Because emergencies can happen at any time, it’s important to use multiple alerting methods to stay informed.
Public Alerts is the primary system CRESA Emergency Management uses to communicate with the public during emergencies, at the request of law enforcement and fire personnel in the field.
This system has previously been known as “reverse 911” or an Emergency Community Notification System (ECNS). In Clark County, it is branded as Clark Public Alerts.
Public Alerts are address-based. During an incident, alerting personnel draw a geographic boundary on a map. Any registered contact associated with an address inside that boundary will receive the message.
Notifications can be sent as:
When you register, you choose how you want to receive alerts.
You can also register multiple addresses. This is especially useful for people who:
The best way to ensure you receive alerts when, where, and how you want is to register at:
You will be prompted to create an account through our service provider, Everbridge. This is expected. Your information remains private and is used only to deliver emergency alerts.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are short emergency messages sent to most newer smartphones within a defined geographic area.
Unlike Public Alerts, WEA is location-based, meaning it targets your current physical location—not your home address or where your phone is registered.
These alerts use a distinct tone and vibration and are designed to provide immediate, time-sensitive instructions.
WEA may be used for:
Users can opt out of most WEA alerts (except Presidential alerts), though keeping them enabled is strongly recommended.
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) delivers urgent, widespread alerts through traditional media channels. These alerts often cover large geographic areas—typically an entire county or, in this region, the broader Portland metro area.
EAS messages are broadcast through:
These alerts begin with a loud tone, followed by instructions to help you stay safe.
EAS does not broadcast through national cable networks or internet- or satellite-based streaming services.
Staying informed during an emergency depends on using multiple alerting tools. Taking a few minutes to register and enable alerts can make a critical difference when it matters most.
Register at ClarkPublicAlerts.org