Everbridge:  Our Emergency Messaging System

Everbridge is the unified emergency messaging system used nationwide by the USCG Auxiliary.  It is a critical event management platform designed to deliver important and time-sensitive notifications to the right person at the right time through multiple communication methods including text/SMS, email, and telephone (landline and mobile).  This article addresses some of the more common Auxiliary questions about Everbridge and basic information that all USCG Auxiliarists need to know.

How do I sign up for Everbridge messages?

There is no need to sign up.  As a member of the USCG Auxiliary, you will receive critical notifications through Everbridge based on your contact information in AUXDATA II.  Obviously, this means that all your contact information MUST be correct and current in order to receive critical messages in a timely manner.

What should I do if I receive an Everbridge message?

The most important initial action for every Auxiliarist is to acknowledge receipt of the message.  This can be done based on the format of the message—whether via email, text, or phone—by clicking on an acknowledgement link (email), responding to a text/SMS, or pressing the appropriate menu button on an automated phone call message.  Prompts are included with each communication to properly acknowledge the message.

What happens after I acknowledge the message?

Your response is recorded in the Everbridge database.  This step by you is vital in order to confirm receipt of the message and account for your well-being.  On the back end, Everbridge allows for various reports and analyses of all District-wide responses.  But the most important first step is achieving 100% accountability from ALL of our members, which occurs simply by you acknowledging the message in a timely manner—normally within an 8- 12-hour messaging cycle.

Who sends Everbridge messages?

Everbridge messages in D1SR are sent under the authority of the District Commodore (DCO) and issued by the Emergency Management (EM) department.  The system is reserved for only the most critical information, messages, bulletins, or updates that require the widest dissemination to all of our members in the shortest period of time as determined by the DCO.

What kinds of Everbridge messages can I receive?

That depends on the nature of the critical information or management of the incident.  The most basic type of message is a Standard broadcast that will convey urgent information and request your acknowledgement.  It is often intended to check on your well-being and assess 100% accountability of our members.  In more complex responses, an Everbridge broadcast may include a Polling/Survey question or instructions that assess your availability to deploy to a major incident within a certain time period.  

Why do I get repeated Everbridge messages?

Quite simply, it’s because the system is designed to continue attempts to contact you with a high-priority message until and unless you acknowledge receipt of that message by any one method.  That means, as long as you confirm receipt either via email, text/SMS, or telephone, it will suffice to record your acknowledgement for that particular message cycle.  If a follow-up message or update is issued by the District Commodore, then a new notification cycle begins—thus requiring another acknowledgement. 

Conclusion

Overall, Everbridge is an extremely important first step in disseminating high-priority messages and achieving 100% accountability throughout our District.  The safety and welfare of all our members are the District’s top priorities in an emergency or major incident, and Everbridge is our critical communications platform designed to accomplish that task. 

Example of Everbridge Notification.