Show All Answers

1. What is Burke Alert powered by Smart911?

Burke Alert powered by Smart911 is Burke County’s official emergency alert and notification system. This system is used to send alerts to the public during emergencies. Burke Alert powered by Smart911 is a free service that allows you to sign up online to receive customized alerts via text message, email, and voice message.

In addition to emergency alerts, you can also choose to receive customizable community notifications. These include notifications about severe weather, safety, health, utility disruptions, major traffic incidents, and more. This service is provided by Burke County at no cost to the public; however, message and data rates may apply.

2. Why should I sign-up for Burke Alert powered by Smart911?

When emergencies happen, be the first to know. Burke County uses Alerts powered by Smart911 to send official, real-time alerts to the public with information about potentially life-saving actions they may need to take to keep themselves and their families safe. By signing up for Burke Alert powered by Smart911 you are taking a large step toward improving your personal safety.

3. How does it work?

When an emergency occurs that meets the criteria for sending out an alert to the public, Burke County emergency dispatchers will gather the necessary information and push out an alert to the affected area. Alerts can be sent out county-wide to everyone who has opted-in to the system, or to a specific area or neighborhood for more localized events.

4. How much does it cost?

This service is provided by the Burke County at no cost to the public; however, message and data rates may apply depending on your provider and phone services.

5. Can you guarantee that I will receive notifications if I register?

While Burke Alert powered by Smart911 is an excellent system, we cannot guarantee that you will receive notification in all cases. Disasters and emergencies are chaotic and unpredictable, and notification is dependent on external providers such as your wireless carrier or email delivery service outside Burke County’s control. Burke Alert powered by Smart911 will use several means of communications to try to ensure that should any one communications method, technology, or delivery option be unavailable to reach residents, other methods will be used to improve the likelihood that citizens will see the message.