ALERTWorcester Emergency Alert System
At a glance
- What: ALERTWorcester is the City's new emergency and public notification system, replacing the Code Red system adopted in 2015. Related: Winter Readiness and Snow Operations 2026-2027.
- Where it stands: open. Referred to the Public Safety Committee on 2026-10-13 (Kathleen M. Toomey recused).
- Next: more outreach to raise enrollment, which councilors have pressed for.
Enrollment report
- Charles R. Goodwin, Commissioner of Emergency Communications, reported enrollment numbers (item 9.14A).
- Enrollment was 7,298 (up almost 100 in a week), versus about 33,000 phone numbers in the old system that accumulated over ten years (almost a quarter dead).
Planned outreach
- A-frame signs at Union Station, City Hall and 799 Main St.
- Radio spots, podcasts, a video with cable services and winter weather sign boards.
- Alerts are limited to public safety and elections, not meeting notices.
Status and next steps
- Referred to the Public Safety Committee on 2026-10-13.
Discussion time
About 10 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-13 - City Council | 10 |
Log
- 2026-10-13 - City Council — Luis A. Ojeda and Jose A. Rivera asked about outreach and Worcester Public Schools and neighborhood meeting distribution. Satya B. Mitra wanted a "smart goal" (he suggested 70 percent of residents), more digital signs and alerts for important committee meetings; Goodwin said 1 to 3 percent enrollment is typical nationally and meetings have never been alerted. In public participation Nathalie Gibson said she gets no road closure or construction alerts despite her settings and asked the City to check what residents (not officials) receive.
- 2026-09-14 - Public Works Committee - Public Works agreed to send street sweeping notices through ALERTWorcester after a chairman's order; Commissioner Charles R. Goodwin told John K. Westerling it is possible. See Street Sweeping Notifications.