New alert system allows city to reach Delta residents during emergencies<\/p>\n
Published 4:33 pm Wednesday, May 27, 2026<\/p>\n
The City of Delta has launched a new public alert system designed to provide residents, businesses and visitors with timely information during emergencies and critical incidents.<\/p>\n
Alertable is a mass notification system that allows local governments and organizations to send alerts directly to subscribers through their desired notification method, including email, SMS, phone calls and a mobile app.<\/p>\n
The opt-in service is free for users, who can not only customize how they receive notifications, but also choose the types of alerts they would like to receive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best way to prepare for an emergency is to stay informed,\u201d Mayor George Harvie said in a press release. \u201cThis new public alert system will help keep our community connected with accurate, real-time information on emergencies, threats, and critical incidents. I encourage anyone who lives or spends time in Delta to sign up today.\u201d<\/p>\n
The system will operate in addition to the city\u2019s existing methods of communicating with residents \u2014 things like its website, social media channels, and alerts to local media \u2014 while providing the extra benefit of allowing staff to target notifications to users in a specific geographic area, depending on what the situation demands.<\/p>\n
Alertable is already used by most Lower Mainland cities, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey and White Rock, as well as by Metro Vancouver.<\/p>\n
Delta\u2019s system went live on Tuesday (May 26). At the same time the city launched a broad public awareness campaign to encourage people to sign up for the service, as its effectiveness is \u201cheavily influenced by subscriber counts,\u201d according to a staff report to council Monday.<\/p>\n
Introduction of the new alert system follows a 2025 survey of residents across Delta in which 88 per cent of respondents expressed interest in receiving emergency alerts directly from the city.<\/p>\n
Going forward, the public alert system will form part of Delta\u2019s overall emergency preparedness and management efforts, \u201cbuilding on existing structures and helping to reach more residents than ever before,\u201d the city\u2019s release states.<\/p>\n
Staff estimate the city\u2019s Alertable subscription will cost $15,000 per year. The city\u2019s Emergency Management Office also plans to spend around $20,000 on promotional and communications materials to support broad public adoption of the system.<\/p>\n
Staff\u2019s report to council notes both costs will be funded through existing budgets.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward to having this public alert system as an invaluable new tool in our toolbox, keeping Delta better connected than ever before,\u201d Delta Fire Chief Dave Wood said in the press release. \u201cAs a community, let\u2019s commit to prioritizing our safety and the safety of our families by staying informed, together.\u201d<\/p>\n