Nixle is a notification system by subscription. You sign up for it on the web, and get text and email notifications when they occur, based on your signup address.
The City of Berkeley and BFD recommend that you sign up for alerts with Nixle. Because it is an Opt-In system, you must
- register with Nixle
- with your current cellphone number(s) and email address
- with your current address
- reply YES on your cellphone to accept notifications
- then go to Settings and subscribe to the specific alerts and advisories you want to get.
The default settings include AC Alert, Alameda County Fire, Berkeley Police, the City of Berkeley, Kensington Fire, and 511 (travel conditions, useful for evacuations).
Once you are signed up, you can monitor the status of Nixle notifications by going to your local notifications page. The proper way to use it, though, it to get notifications pushed to your device and email.
The difference between AC Alert and Nixle: Nixle has a more sophisticated setup and allows you to subscribe to specific agencies in a more flexible manner. To be sure that you will get critical alerts, subscribe to both.
Sign up for emergency notifications with Nixle today. Don’t forget to read Berkeley Fire Weather and Evacuation Page.