Lafourche Parish officials have announced a new emergency alert service immediately available to all residents. The new system is called “Everbridge” and allows citizens to sign up online to receive location-based notifications by a phone call or text message in the case of an emergency.

Everbridge replaces the “CodeRED” system which has been used since 2016. All individuals who live, work, or attend school in Lafourche Parish are encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications through the new Everbridge system. Any resident who registered their cell phones or email with the CodeRED system will have to register on the new system in order to continue receiving alerts.

While details on emergencies such as mandatory evacuations, hazardous material spills, and boil water advisories are always announced through news releases and social media, officials have been using a telephone system for many years which made automated phone calls to residents in a specified area in the event of such an emergency. This old system relied on information from phone companies and primarily made calls to landlines. Everbridge will provide the same functionality, but it will also send text messages and/or emails to anyone who registers a cell phone number or email address.

When signing up for Everbridge online, users will enter basic information, including name and addresses for home and work. You will then be able to list cell phone numbers to text and/or call, home and business lines, and email addresses. Multiple phone numbers can be added. You will automatically be signed up for Lafourche Parish emergency information, but you also have the option to subscribe to local severe weather alerts as well. Once a user is registered, Everbridge will even conduct a test to ensure the information was entered accurately.

Registration for Everbridge emergency alerts is available online on the homepages of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office website (www.lpso.net) or the Lafourche Parish Government website (www.lafourchegov.org). Users only need to register at one of the sites to be included in all Lafourche Parish notifications. Anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Lafourche Parish is encouraged to sign up. Anyone needing additional information or assistance should contact the Lafourche Parish Government Office of Emergency Preparedness at (985) 532-8174.

DIRECT LINK: SIGN UP FOR EVERBRIDGE ALERTS: LPSO.net/news/alerts/