Understanding Alerts in Spokane County
When wildfires or other emergencies strike, timely and accurate alerts are essential to keeping our community safe. But not all alerts are created—or delivered—the same way. Here's a quick guide to help you understand the two main types of public safety alerts used in Spokane County:
Alert Spokane (CodeRED) These are targeted messages sent via phone, text, or email to individuals who have opted in through the Alert Spokane system. They are most commonly used during wildfire evacuation events, when Spokane Regional Emergency Communication (SREC) creates precise evacuation boundaries at the direction of the Incident Commander (IC) on scene. Only once those zones are defined by the IC, can SREC initiate the alert process. Thanks to a custom-built GIS interface, the time required to create and launch these alerts has been reduced significantly, typically well under a defined 10-minute target (under half that time for upgrades/downgrades). It’s important to understand that while mapping and notifications are being finalized, fire and law enforcement personnel are already in the field and may be conducting door-to-door (localized) evacuations. A public facing web application is updated within 60 seconds of alert launch via an automated process of the interface. Alert Spokane can also be used for shelter-in-place alerts, missing person alerts, or other emergencies where it’s important to notify the public. To receive these alerts, you must be registered at www.alertspokane.org. While SREC initiates the evacuation messages, the Alert Spokane system itself is owned by CodeRed (and their parent company Crisis24) and managed by Spokane County Emergency Management (SCEM). Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) / IPAWS These are the loud, air horn-like messages that go to nearly all mobile phones in a defined area—whether you signed up or not. The area can be small and targeted, or include the entire county. They are intended to get your attention fast in the event of a major emergency. The Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are owned and operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the wireless industry. FEMA manages the overall system and provides the platform for issuing alerts, while the FCC and wireless carriers ensure those alerts are technically delivered to mobile devices. Locally, only SCEM Duty Officers are authorized to send these alerts. |
SREC ResourcesSREC’s Evacuation Map
SREC created and hosts a public facing evacuation map where community members can view evacuation areas as well as input their address to see how close they are to an area. To check whether you're currently in or near an evacuation zone, visit:
👉 https://bit.ly/SRECOfficialEvac 
Or download our mobile app here:
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Be Prepared. Sign up for Alert Spokane, stay aware of WEA notifications, and always have an evacuation plan. Every minute matters.