The City of Menlo Park uses multiple platforms to communicate with residents and businesses. Information and alert notifications are sent out through the city’s website based on subscriber interests. The city also uses SMC Alert and social media to deliver important messages.

In 2017, the city worked in partnership with the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services to transition to the San Mateo County Alert System (SMC Alert). This transition aligned Menlo Park with every other community and special district in San Mateo County under one emergency alert system.

The SMC Alert system is administered by the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services and offers any community member the ability to register to receive public alerts about emergency events, instructions during natural disasters or critical events, weather warnings, crime warnings, major road closures, traffic issues, and wildlife warnings (mountain lion sightings, etc.). Once enrolled, members will be able to tailor the types of warnings they receive, along with specific jurisdictions or cities they are interested in receiving notifications.

City officials are encouraging community members to sign up to receive announcements from the county-wide emergency alert system, SMC Alert, and to update their information if already registered. As we navigate the current health pandemic, coronavirus/COVID-19, it is a good reminder that San Mateo County residents and businesses can get important alerts from health experts as well as many resources to persist through the various life impacts of COVID-19. 

Community members can register to receive emergency public notifications through SMC Alert; visit www.smcalert.info and click on “Register Now” or call the Office of Emergency Services at 650-363-4488 for recorded instructions about updating your SMC Alert account.