Ferndale, MI—The City of Ferndale is thrilled to announce a partnership with Oakland County to join the OakAlert system, which will now provide emergency alerts to Ferndale residents. The City of Ferndale is proud to be the first city in this pilot program, and City staff is very grateful to Oakland County for partnering with Ferndale.

Ferndale Emergency Alerts will be integrated with the County-managed OakAlert system. The Communications Department, with support from the City Manager’s Office and the Fire, Police, and Public Works Departments, will use it as a primary crisis communications tool, alongside other existing platforms. The system is prepared for various crisis scenarios and will provide residents and staff with a swift, efficient way to communicate and receive information.

OakAlert allows citizens to self-register with their name, personal contact information, and their own username and password. Notifications are sent via texts, calls and emails to alert about a variety of emergencies, including outdoor warning siren activation, road closures, active assailant situations, or issues impacting public health.

Ferndale Emergency Alerts are free for both the City and residents. Residents may sign up to receive alerts by text, email, app, or phone call. A Ferndale address is required to receive local alerts. Once enrolled, users can receive both Ferndale and County alerts. Each account can include multiple addresses and communication methods, making it suitable for families, multi-person households, and property owners. To register, visit ferndalemi.gov/emergency-alerts.

“We’re excited Ferndale has agreed to partner with Oakland County on this expansion of OakAlert,” said Thom Hardesty, the County’s Director of Emergency Management. “Getting accurate information quickly during an emergency can help keep residents safe. This pilot will strengthen coordination between Ferndale and the county and make it easier to get critical information to residents when they need it most.”

The City of Ferndale’s previous text system had become inefficient and costly, prompting the need for a better alternative. “After Oakland County reached out, it was clear that this was the best system for us. This will make a significant improvement to communications—it is a missing puzzle piece for our community”, stated Ferndale Communications Manager Reilly Coleman. “We often look to other communities for resources, but now we get to be the benchmark!” To learn more about the OakAlert system, visit oakgov.com/oakalert.

Contact:
Michael Kamenec, Oakland County Emergency Management Specialist: 248-858-1598, mkamenecm@oakgov.com
Reilly Coleman, City of Ferndale Communications Manager:248-546-2525 Ext. 132, rcoleman@ferndalemi.gov