HPD Emergency Notifications System Helps Keep Small Business Owners Safe

Here's everything you need to know about Reverse 911 in Hillsboro:

What is Reverse 911 in Hillsboro?

Reverse 911 is a system that uses a database of phone numbers and addresses to notify residents and businesses in a specific area about an emergency or critical situation. The system automatically dials phone numbers and sends pre-recorded messages with important information and instructions.

Why should small businesses and neighbors in Hillsboro sign up for Reverse 911?

Stay informed about emergencies and critical situations! This system will be used to notify you about imminent threats to health and safety as well as informational notifications that affect your locations or work environments. Administrators will send notifications regarding severe weather, flooding, gas leaks, police activity and more. You can opt in to notifications that matter to you, customizing what will effect your home, place of work, or family's school.

Reverse 911 messages can include essential instructions on what to do during an emergency, such as evacuate, shelter in place, or avoid specific areas. For follow up information, always check @PublicAlerts on Twitter to find the status of a recent alert. 

How to sign up for Reverse 911 in Hillsboro?

Signing up for Reverse 911 is easy and free of charge. You can register by following the instructions on the Public Alerts website. The information you provide is confidential and only used for emergency notifications.

Sign up today!

Reverse 911 is a powerful tool that can help small businesses and neighbors in Hillsboro stay informed and safe during emergencies and critical situations. Make sure to register your phone number and email address on the Washington County Emergency Management website to receive alerts, and check the page for more info and the answers to many frequently asked questions.

Lastly, how will you know when it's over? 

When the situation that you've been alerted about is clear and safe for the public to proceed with their normal routines, there are a couple of things you can usually depend on: the responding agencies still being very busy handling the situation and the local media being on the scene. 

This means that in many of these situations, the best way to find out when it's over is to find a media outlet that is at the scene reporting. If you aren't sure where to start, try KPTV's feed on Facebook or WashcoScanner on Twitter. 

If you can't find a media source covering the event and haven't heard any verified information through another source, you can call non-emergency, 503-629-0111, to see if there are any updates. Once you do get an update, please share with your business neighbors if you are able to.