DES is launching a new emergency alerts system (WA Agency Alerts) for the Washington State Capitol Campus. The system will launch in fall 2020.
WA Agency Alerts uses the Everbridge system that allows us to notify you about imminent threats to health and safety, building closures, severe weather, police activity and more.
For state employees not located on the Capitol Campus
State employees not located on the Capitol Campus are encouraged to sign up for text alerts.
- Text CAMPUSGUEST to 888-777 to receive alerts for one week. This option is meant for one-time or infrequent visitors to the Capitol Campus who do not want to receive alerts on an ongoing basis.
- Text CAMPUSALERT to 888-777 to receive alerts on an ongoing basis. This a good option for people who visit the campus frequently or work near the campus.
For state employees on the Capitol Campus
WA Agency Alerts: Before the system comes on-line, employees will need to log in to the Everbridge system, set their preferences for preferred communication channels and complete their profiles.
Campus employees will be automatically enrolled in the system throughout the fall. After enrollment, each employee will receive an email from the system prompting the following actions:
Log into the Everbridge website: Complete your profile and set preferences.
Mobile App: Employees are strongly encouraged to use the Everbridge Mobile App on personal and/or work mobile devices.
Get the instructions for:
Testing: After employees are enrolled, they will receive periodic test messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will this system be used?
This system is to notify you about Capitol Campus imminent threats to health and safety, building closures, severe weather, police activity and more.
How does it work?
When there’s an incident on Capitol Campus that’s a potential safety risk or imminent threat, the system sends alerts to a registered device, which may include:
- Everbridge mobile app
- Text message (work and/or personal mobile)
- Phone call (work mobile, personal mobile, or personal landline)
- Email (work and/or personal)
Alerts are sequentially sent to each registered device in order of established preferences.
Once you receive the message, there’s the option to confirm you’ve received it:
- If you confirm that you received a message, you won’t receive the same message again on remaining registered devices.
- If you do not confirm, you’ll continue receiving the same message until it has reached all of your registered devices.
What will the alerts look like?
You choose your preferred contact methods for alerts. Depending on what you choose, the alerts will display differently when received:
- Everbridge App notifications
- Text messages are from 893-61
- Phone calls are from (360) 407-8588
- Emails are from noreplywaagencyalerts@des.wa.gov
Will I still get emergency notifications if I don't login?
If you don't log-in and update your profile, notifications will be limited to your work email address which is the least effective and least timely notification option. We strongly suggest that user profiles be updated to include mobile devices (work and personal) as well as download of the Everbridge app onto work and personal mobile devices which are the most effective and timely means of receiving emergency alerts.
How will you notify state employees about emergencies if their official duty station is not on the Capitol Campus?
System licensing is limited to personnel whose official duty station is on the Capitol Campus. WaAgencyAlerts provides a text alert option for those off-campus personnel and campus visitors.
What mobile app does the system use?
The service uses the Everbridge mobile app.
How does the app work, and can I download it on my work phone?
The app is available to campus employees. The WA Agency Alerts sends notifications via the app to registered devices. DES is working with agency IT departments regarding options for adding the Everbridge app to each agency’s state-issued mobile devices for campus employees. The app can also be downloaded to your personal mobile devices. DES will be providing communications and instructions in the near future.
Do I have to add personal contact information?
You have the option to add contact information to your profile, to include work mobile device, personal mobile device, personal email address, and home phone. If you do add personal contact information, you can stop receiving notifications on a personal device at any time by removing that contact information from your profile. We strongly suggest that user profiles be updated to include mobile devices (work and personal) as well as download of the Everbridge app onto work and personal mobile devices which are the most effective and timely means of receiving emergency alerts.
What if my work number or work email address changes?
The system receives information from HRMS and Active Directory. If your contact information changes, please contact your agency information technology support organization to initiate updates.
Which buildings are covered?
You’re considered a Capitol Campus employee (even if you’re currently teleworking) if your official duty station is located in a Capitol Campus building:
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For the public
Visitors, vendors, campus neighbors and members of the general public may sign up for text message emergency alerts. There are two options:
- Text CAMPUSGUEST to 888-777 to receive alerts for one week. This option is meant for one-time or infrequent visitors to the Capitol Campus who do not want to receive alerts on an ongoing basis.
- Text CAMPUSALERT to 888-777 to receive alerts on an ongoing basis. This a good option for campus neighbors as well as people who visit frequently.