Accurate and timely public information is important to effectively manage a local emergency. The City utilizes a variety of methods to notify residents of critical emergency information including the Emergency Alert System, press conferences with media providers, City's website, social media (Nixle, Nextdoor, Twitter, Facebook) door-to-door hand delivered fliers, and even police department loud speaker neighborhood notifications.

Additionally, the City operates two technologies to push information out to affected residents. These include our AM radio station (AM 530) and an automated telephone notification system VC ALERT (commonly referred to as Reverse 9-1-1).

The City operates a low powered Highway Information System radio at 530 KHz on the AM radio dial. Residents should tune to this station in the event of a disaster or significant emergency to receive emergency information such as evacuation orders, evacuation routes, locations of shelters, important telephone numbers, incident updates and other information.

Give it a try today! When we aren’t experiencing emergencies, the 530 AM RADIO station broadcasts various community information.

Automated Telephone Notification System

VC ALERT Program

The City of Simi Valley in conjunction with the County of Ventura has implemented a state-of-the-art emergency notification system to alert residents about emergencies and other important community news. The emergency notification system enables officials to provide essential information quickly when there is a threat to the health or safety of residents.

Registration of Phone Numbers

The VC Alert Emergency Notification System database currently includes all listed and unlisted landline telephone numbers that are serviced by AT&T and Verizon. If you would like to be contacted on more than one phone device, e.g., your home phone, cellular phone, work phone, TTY device, email, fax or via instant messaging – you must register that information using the opt in portal.  All information you provide will be kept strictly confidential.

Hearing Impaired / TTY Phones and Devices

The VC Alert Emergency Notification System is capable of delivering messages to TTY/TDD devices. To register your contact information, please utilize the opt in portal or contact the VC Alert Hotline at (805) 648-9283 for assistance.

Use of the System

VC Alert may be used to deliver alerts when there is a threat to the health or safety of residents. You may also sign up to receive community alerts.  It is important for residents not to rely on VC Alert notifications as their only means of emergency information. The system may be used in conjunction with information provided to the media, directions given by emergency responders, and information posted on official city, county and government websites.

How it Works

The process begins when the City or County issues a message about a potential safety hazard or concern. Messages may be sent to all standard voice and text communication devices, including landline phone numbers, cellular phone numbers, email, and more. If you do not confirm receipt of the message, the system may continue trying to contact you until it receives a confirmation from you.

Cost

There is no cost to register additional phone numbers in the VC Alert database. VC Alert is a free service provided by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and participating cities in Ventura County.  Keep in mind, if you register a cellular phone number, call and text messaging charges may apply. The City of Simi Valley and the County of Ventura is not responsible for any charges that may be incurred as a result of receiving these alerts.

Contact

For more information on the VC Alert Emergency Notification System, please contact the VC Alert Hotline at (805) 648-9283 or via email at vc.alert@ventura.org.

Privacy Notice and Disclaimer

The County of Ventura or the City of Simi Valley will not share or distribute personal information gathered by this system and will use it solely for the purpose of providing community emergency notifications. Your information is submitted over a secure, encrypted connection for your protection.

With respect to documents and services available from this server, neither the County of Ventura nor any of its agencies and affiliates nor any of their employees, makes any warrant, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed.