Emergency Communication System for Bear Valley FAQs

This document was created by the Alpine County CSA. BVRI is posting it here as a community service.

Given the environment in which the community of Bear Valley resides, there is a high likelihood that residents and visitors will need to receive emergency instructions regarding evacuation, sheltering in place or extreme weather incidents. The following is an FAQ with important information regarding how residents and visitors in Bear Valley can ensure they receive all emergency communications.

How do I receive emergency communications or alerts?

The county currently has two main methods by which residents can receive important information impacting Bear Valley. The first is managed by the Alpine County Public Information Officer. It is accessed by going to the county website  https://www.alpinecountyca.gov/ and clicking on the “sign up for notifications” button. Individuals can sign up for one or both of the two lists by scrolling down to the “Alert” section. One is listed as “Bear Valley Notifications”. The other is listed as “Emergency Alerts”.

The second method is managed by the Alpine County Sherrif’s department. This is the Reverse 911 emergency communication system. To sign up for Reverse 911 communications from the Sheriff go to https://www.alpinecountyca.gov/ and click on “departments” and then click on the bold word “Sheriff” at the top of the category. There you will find the link, https://douglascounty.onthealert.com/Terms/Index/?ReturnUrl=%2F , to sign up to receive Reverse 911 communications from the Alpine County Sheriff’s Office.

What is the difference between the two notification methods?

1. County Alert Center: These alerts are managed by the Public Information Officer (PIO). The PIO oversees the approval process for any messages being sent and for the content and distribution of these messages. The Bear Valley Notifications are alerts for topics and information specific to the Bear Valley community. The Emergency Alerts are for emergency communications that may impact the entire Alpine County or a portion of it. These communications have a longer timeline and are not considered by the county as the most immediate means of communicating urgent real time emergency communications.

2. Sheriff’s Reverse 911: This alert is managed by the Alpine County Sheriff’s Office. This alert is considered by the county as the most immediate means for communicating urgent real time emergency communications for Bear Valley. This is the alert individuals may sign up for if they want to be sure to get communications regarding evacuations, sheltering in place or extreme weather incidents. Only those who sign up ahead of time on the website will receive Reverse 911 calls.

It is important to note that under the link to sign up for Alpine County Reverse 911 Notifications you will see the statement, “Register Here for Emergency Notifications from Douglas County Nevada – 911 Emergency Services.. While the Alpine County Sheriff’s Department determines the content and timing for Reverse 911 messages for Bear Valley, Douglas County manages the Reverse 911 system for both counties. Signing up at this link on the Alpine County website will register you for Reverse 911 notifications for Bear Valley. You will not receive Reverse 911 calls for Douglas County.

If I sign up for notifications in the “Alerts Center” method, how will the notifications come to me? Via email, voice message or text? 

For the notification methods in the Alerts Center section of the website, you have the option of signing up for email, text messaging or both.

Are the “Alert Center” notifications tested and if so. How often?

No, test messages are not regularly sent out.

If I sign up for the Alert Center “Emergency Alerts”, will I also receive alerts for other areas within the Alpine County but outside of Bear Valley?

Yes. The Alert Center “Emergency Alerts” may include notifications pertaining to all of Alpine County.

If I sign up for the Alert Center “Emergency Alerts”, will I automatically be signed up for the Reverse 911 system?

No, you need to opt-in to the Reverse 911 system separately. You must sign up at the links mentioned above to get Reverse 911 notifications.

Can I sign up for all three different alert methods?

Yes. To cover all bases, we suggest opting in to both the Bear Valley and Emergency lists through the Alert Center and Reverse 911.

Since I have a cell phone or landline in Bear Valley, am I already part of the Reverse 911 system?

No. You must opt-in to the system to be included. 

If I sign-up for Reverse 911 notifications, how will the notifications come to me? Email, voicemail, or text?

Reverse 911 communications will come in the form of an email and an automated voice message call. There is not an option to receive Reverse 911 messages as a text message at this time. 

Please note, for cell phones, the Reverse 911 call will come as an unidentified caller unless you have entered the phone number into your contacts. The Reverse 911 calls come from the same phone number each time. The calls will come from the number 775-911-1111. It is a good idea to put this number into your contacts as “Alpine County Reverse 911” so that when the call comes, it will appear as an identified number, and you will know to answer the call. 

Additionally, Reverse 911 will not come through on your cell phone while in Do Not Disturb mode. To receive Reverse 911 calls while in Do Not Disturb mode, you will need to add the Reverse 911 contact as a Favorite on your phone. 

Can I sign-up for more than one telephone number for the Reverse 911 system?

Yes. You can sign up as many telephone numbers as you would like. During an emergency, each number that has been entered into the system will receive a notification whether the phone is physically in Bear Valley or not.

Is the Reverse 911 system notification method tested and if so, how often?

While the system has been tested in the past, tests of the Reverse 911 systems do not go out on a set frequency.

Message from the Sheriff: 

While an extensive plan to communicate to the public during an emergency is critical, it is also important for all community members to maintain personal awareness of current conditions, ongoing events and possible dangers.

Emergency communication methods can go down. The public is encouraged to remain aware of their environment and surroundings for potential threats. This is the primary method of an individual’s emergency planning.

In addition to the communication methods mentioned above, Deputies and Fire Volunteers have a pre-plan in place to go door-to-door to communicate needed action should conditions arise.